Myanmar also plans to participate in international tourism fairs to further enhance its visibility and attract more visitors. - AFP
YANGON (Xinhua): Myanmar's tourism industry has seen a significant rebound in the fiscal year 2022-23 as the country welcomes an influx of Chinese visitors, showed the figures from the country's Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.
With the reopening of international commercial airlines in Myanmar in April last year, international tourist arrivals to the country surged by 187 per cent in the fiscal year 2022-23 year on year, the ministry's figures showed.
Myanmar welcomed a total of 367,368 international tourists in the fiscal year 2022-23, which started in April last year and ended in March this year, as compared to 127,989 visitors registered in the same period a year earlier, the figures showed.
Among the 367,368 tourists, 48,342, or 13.15 per cent of the total, are Chinese, showed the ministry's figures.
U Hla Myint, the deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, said the Chinese tourism market is big. "If they know more about our destinations, more of them will visit Myanmar."
Efforts are underway to capitalize on the Chinese market, while also focusing on attracting tourists from India, Russia, and other countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, he said.
In August last year, Myanmar's Ministry of Hotels and Tourism conducted a basic Chinese-speaking course in Nay Pyi Taw, aiming at providing better tourism services to the Chinese tourists.
Tourists are visiting renowned destinations in Myanmar, including Bagan, Mandalay, Kyaiktiyo and Inle. Some also enjoy beach destinations like Ngapali and Chaungtha.
The future outlook for tourist arrivals to Myanmar appears promising, as popular destinations such as Ngapali and Yangon are safe and easy to visit, U Hla Myint added.
Pagodas, especially those in Bagan, and the unique experience of the leg-rowing lake in Inle, are particularly cherished by tourists, reflecting Myanmar's cultural appeal, said U Tin Zaw Thein, a director from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.
Myanmar also plans to participate in international tourism fairs to further enhance its visibility and attract more visitors, he said.
