Myanmar’s tourism sector has suffered as growth of tourist arrivals dropped to 1 percent in 2018 compared with 7.1 percent in 2017, according to the Myanmar Times, which cites a World Bank report. The number of western tourist arrivals fell the most, more than offsetting arrivals from Asia according to reports of booking and tour cancellations by western tourists since late 2017. This happened after the news of violence in Rakhine was reported on a global scale, the World Bank said. Tourism accounts for 2.7 percent of the country’s GDP. Officials reckon the tourism industry will continue to come under pressure this year and for as long as the Rakhine crisis remains an issue. To offset the west’s impact on tourism, Myanmar has doubled up its efforts to capture tourists from Asia. Last year, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population relaxed visa requirements for travelers from Japan, Macau, Hong Kong and South Korea. It now also offers visas on arrival to mainland Chinese and Indian tourists. The tourism businesses are hoping to see a 50 percent rise in visitors from eastern countries this year.
Upcoming Events
- No events
- all events
Highlights
Terminals, ports, logistics, liner operations disrupted
German containerline Hapag Lloyd has announced a decision to temporarily suspend cargo bookings into Myanmar …Facebook, Instagram ban military and related pages with immediate effect
In a February 24th update to its February 11th statement, Facebook through its Director of …Luxury Japanese real-estate complex called out for funding military
Despite distancing itself from other major Western states imposing sanctions on military-linked individuals and entities, …
Myanmar in the Media
- Myanmar junta leader makes first visit to ChinaSource: Bangkok Post Recent StoriesNovember 5, 20248 hours ago
- Myanmar junta chief to make first China visit since seizing powerSource: Voice of America East AsiaNovember 4, 20242 days ago
- War makes it harder to hold journalists’ killers accountable, experts saySource: Voice of America East AsiaNovember 2, 20243 days ago
- Alleged leader of Rohingya smuggling gang arrestedSource: Bangkok Post Top StoriesNovember 2, 20244 days ago
Thura NewsViews
Myanmar’s most widely read newsletter on the country’s politics, economy and businesses brought to you by Thura Swiss