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Boost for Myanmar
(this article originally appeared as a part of
Crown Jewels of the Greater Mekong Region)
Myanmar's travel industry stands to reap benefits from the country's expected entry into ASEAN as an official observer. The country's status within ASEAN would open lines of communication with its new partners and could create opportunity for better regional understanding, said Mr. Armin Schoch, managing director of Yangon based Insight Myanmar.
"It could make a difference in a country like Thailand, where the perception of what's happening in Myanmar isn't always accurate," he said. Mr. Duncan MacLean, the general manager of the Central Floating Hotel, Yangon, agreed. "We want other countries to understand what exactly is happening in Myanmar." "It's very positive and it will mean the government will have to follow ASEAN guidelines on tourism and visa rules," he added. Industry observers also believe ASEAN admission should also raise the country's profile at regional selling platforms such as the ASEAN Tourism Forum. Said Mr. Schoch: "Myanmar would be able to better represent itself, which it hasn't been able to do in the past."
Go Zone
Myanmar has expanded the tourism territory "go zone" for Visit Myanmar Year which begins on I October. The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has advised that there are still some areas where visitors are not allowed, but the expanded territory is intended to give travellers a greater insight into the diverse Burmese culture. The ministry advises that travelling to some areas and sites requires prior permission and group travel has been given a priority.
Visas on arrival
As a means to shore up Visit Myanmar Year, visas on arrival will soon be available for tourists arriving by plane to Yangon. Myanmar embassies have already been instructed to speed visa approvals and it takes less than an hour to have a visa processed when applying in Singapore and Bangkok.
However, it's still compulsory for tourists to convert US$300 into foreign exchange certificates (FEC) at the airport counter. One FEC dollar is worth 100 kyats, which is equivalent to the exchange rate on the black market. FEC notes can be cashed in hotels and restaurants throughout Myanmar and can be cashed back into US dollars on departure.
Arrivals hit new peak
Myanmar tour operators are optimistic that the coming winter will be the country's best high season on record. According to those in the trade, tourism and politics should not be bedfellows as suggested by some. "It's not fair to combine the two," said Rubyland managing director, Mr. U Aye Kyaw. "Tourism is personal. It can't be stopped by politics. Let the people decide for themselves if they want to come." Meanwhile, Myanmar's cash-strapped Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is hoping the government will double its budget to US$600,000 for the 1997/1998 fiscal year.
This year's shoestring budget of around US$300,000 has not been sufficient to adequately support "Visit Myanmar Year" (VMY), said Lt-Col Khin Maung Latt, director general of Myanmar's directorate of hotels and tourism. "We have had to rely on the private sector, both foreign and local tour operators and hoteliers, to help us promote the country at trade shows like ITB." Critics have said Myanmar's infant tourism industry is ill-equipped to handle such an ambitious promotion.
Mr. William Myat Wunna, assistant general manager of Tour Mandalay, argued that VYM should be just what the country needs to put itself on the global tourism map. "In terms of infrastructure, it might be a bit early. But in terms of promoting and developing the tourism in the country, it's the right time.