Posts in category: HOTEL & TOURISM

The ceremony of the World Tourism Day specified by the United Nations World Tourism Organization-UNWTO is celebrated in Myanmar every year. The World Tourism Day Ceremony 2022 will be held at the Myanmar International Convention Center-II in Nay Pyi Taw on 27 September, and tour operators and travel agencies will participate in the competitions as a special feature this year. “This year, there will be a competition to present business plans as a special programme.

Those who will take a step in tourism will have to compete with business plans including tourism projects, thoughts and ideas. It’s a special programme about how to get tourism back on track. There will be galleries on show at the World Tourism Day 2022 and our representatives will participate in the exhibition as well. We will combine the current popular beaches and destinations in Myanmar to show what new destinations can be visited,” said President U Naung Naung Han of the Union of Myanmar Travel Association.

It is known that the theme of this year’s ceremony is “Rethinking Tourism” and the Myanmar Tourism Marketing Association-MTM including the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, related ministries, Myanmar Tourism Federation, Union of Myanmar Travel Association, Myanmar Hoteliers Association and Myanmar Restaurant Association will display the topics that can redevelop Myanmar’s tourism industry in relevant galleries.

“There will be around 30 booths related to tourism industry in the exhibition according to the relevant states and regions. Photo exhibition and extempore talk contest were held by the MoHT to mark the World Tourism Day 2022 and the awards will be given to winners at the ceremony,” he explained further. The World Tourism Organization under the United Nations is founded in 1946, and 27 September was set up as the World Tourism Day since 1980, it is learnt. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The open season for travel is drawing near, and preparations are being made for local and foreign visitors to the islands in the Kawthoung and Myeik districts of the Taninthayi Region, according to the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (Nay Pyi Taw). The local and foreign travellers start visiting the islands of Kawthoung and Myeik districts in the peak season. The tourism industry faced a decline in the COVID-19 outbreak and the government resumed domestic/international flights on 17 April 2022 to remedy the tourism sector. Currently, the local visitors pay a visit to the islands of Kawthoung and Myeik and arrangements are being made for the foreign visitors.

The tours to Kawthoung and Myeik Archipelago are prepared to reopen as per the COVID-19 preventive measures. There are over 800 islands in Taninthayi Region and over 200 islands in Myeik Archipelago and is an island where Myanmar’s only Marine National Park, Lampi Island, is located. According to the research of marine experts, there are 195 evergreen forests, 63 flora on mangrove and sand-dune forests and 19 types of mammals and cold- and warm-blooded animals on the coral reefs. The well-known islands in Kawthoung District are Lampi Island, Bocho Island, Hlainggu Island, Saturn Island, Kophawt Island, Taunglapoh Island, NyaungU Phee Island, Natthamee Yaytwin Island, Done Island, Done Yetagun Island, Ngaman Islands, 254 and 256 Islands, Myanmar Bam Island, Auknee Island, Tawwin (South) Island, Tawwin (North) Island, Macleod Island, Kyunn Phila Island and Nanathee Island.

The Myeik Archipelago boasts perfect islands like Thameehla Island, Taungpangyi Island, Bailey Island, King Island or Marcus Island, Smart Island or Parpa Island, Cock Comb Island, 115 Island and Waale Island. The Myeik Archipelago tourism Industry was implemented in 2014 and the Taninthayi Region’s tourism industry was well developed hosting between 200 and 300 travellers per day during long holidays. The officials arrange speed boats and vessel services for transportation and the tour guides follow the instructions of departments concerned for the safety of travellers and not affecting the natural environment by cooperating with the residents. “We have high expectations this open season. We make preparations to start with local travellers. The hotels are reopened and some make preparations. There is information provided on the website and media for travel in cooperation with the regional government. The main point is that arrangements are being made to provide services in accordance with the COVID-19 health rules at the hotels and the hotels are also granted HSP certificates. The department conducts training courses for tourist guides regarding COVID-19 preventive measures.

Therefore, we are making efforts for the travellers to be able to take good rest during their trip. Kawthoung and Myeik archipelago are indeed the best places for travelling and excursion,” said U Zeyar Myo, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (Nay Pyi Taw). The department was invited to the International Tourism Fair in Seoul in August 2022 and International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2022) and will promote the tourism industry of the country in 2023. The travellers to these islands can study the lifestyle of Salon people who are described as Sea Gipsy, the natural beauty of the sea and islands, coral reefs and fish species by diving, and can go fishing, study the whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seals, Hornbills, sea butterfly, Mali bird, Grey-rumped Swiftlet and other bird species. The community-based tourism, hoteliers, tourist guides, boat drivers and locals are expecting a large volume of travellers to Kawthoung and Myeik archipelago where the world’s best golden pearls are produced. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The seventh tourism exhibition will be held in Yangon in September 2022 to revive domestic tourism,
which is suspended amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association held tourism-related exhibitions to promote tourism development. A total of six events were convened before the Covid-19 pandemic. Plans are underway to hold the seventh tourism exhibition in September.

Normally, the tourism season in Myanmar starts in October and the tourism companies used to sell programmes for domestic and international tours in September. This exhibition will take place at LOTTE hotel in Yangon on 17 and 18 September 2022 and is open to anyone.

Travellers will have the chance to observe and buy domestic and foreign tour programmes. As a special programme, discounted tours will also be exhibited. In the exhibition, information on countries tourists can visit, visa information and restrictions will be available. Flight tickets and tours will also be on sale at special prices during the travel fair by relevant airlines and travel agencies.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the terms and conditions of tourist visas for entering Myanmar via Yangon International Airport. It said if the decision is made to disallow entry, the passengers have to return by the same flight. The applicants must have the certificate of full vaccination, the colour photo taken last three months and relevant documents.

Moreover, all applicants shall abide by the laws of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and shall not interfere in the internal affairs of the country. Tourist visas are not permitted for entry and if they are refused entry, passengers have to return by the same flight, it said. All international flight passengers to Myanmar must have certificates of full vaccination, according to the Yangon International Airport.

The Ministry of Health also released a statement regarding public health rules for international tourists on 1 August. Travellers shall have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival at Myanmar, a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR result and COVID-19 medical insurance purchased from Myanma Insurance and related documents.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Bangkok-Yangon flights such as Thai Air Asia, Thai Smile and Nok Air airlines resumed direct flights at Yangon International Airport on 1 July for convenient aviation transport between the two countries, according to the Yangon Aerodrome Company Limited (YACL). The first flight FD-252 by Thai Air Asia arrived at Yangon International Airport from Bangkok at 8 am yesterday.

The three direct flights will be operated weekly on Monday, Friday and Sunday depending on the number of passengers. “The Yangon International Airport is coordinating with relevant ministries to ease the Covid-19 restrictions and to welcome more airlines soon. The resumption of airlines would enhance domestic tourism, domestic airlines and the economy of the State,” said Capt Kyaw Soe Hla of the Myanmar Airways International.

India, China, Singapore and some other airlines have already resumed their operations at Yangon International Airport. In addition, Malaysia, Japan and Korean Airlines will reoperate their flights in the near future. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, flights were suspended at Yangon International Airport on 29 March 2020. International flights were resumed on 17 April 2022 after declining COVID-19 infections in Myanmar.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar Airways International (MAI) has announced that Incheon-Yangon-Incheon flights will resume three days per week starting from 6 July. Currently, Korean Air is operating the Yangon-Incheon flight. After the suspension for over two years, Korean Air (KE) resumed flying.

At present, both Korean Air and MAI are selling the tickets for the Yangon-Incheon flight to be resumed on 6 July. The flights will fly weekly on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

In addition, Nok Air will also resume Yangon-Bangkok flights on 1 July and will fly every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) is also operating regular flights to Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. MAI flies to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul, Guangzhou, Dubai, Phnom Penh, Kolkata and Delhi on scheduled dates.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

From July 1, passengers traveling to Bangkok, Thailand with a 14-day visa will no longer need to apply for a Thailand Pass and Covid Medical insurance. At present, passengers traveling from Rangoon to Bangkok, Thailand, must have a valid passport for at least six months. Air ticket, Thailand Pass; Covid Medical insurance; You will need to show your Covid Vaccine Certificat and your hotel or home address.

Among those requirements, travelers with a 14-day visa will be able to enter Thailand without having to apply for a Thailand Pass and Covid Medical insurance from July 1. The state-owned Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) will operate the Yangon-Bangkok daily flight twice a day, Monday and Wednesday, starting June 15. Myanmar National Airlines currently operates daily Yangon-Bangkok flights.

E-Boarding Pass can be obtained by checking online through the mobile application for domestic flights of the state-owned Myanmar National Airlines (MNA). Online check-in is for domestic flights only and can be made 24 hours to 75 minutes before departure. People will need to print and bring the E-Boarding Pass you received after online check-in. Download the mobile application from the App Store and Google Playstore and search for itinerary in the mobile application, buying a plane ticket.

Payment Check your itinerary Travel services such as online check-in and e-Boarding Pass will be available. In addition, overseas trips to Singapore, Hong Kong Bangkok Kuala Lumpur, Chengdu New Delhi It is flying to Kolkata and Manila, and plans to expand international flights. Nok Air at Yangon International Airport; THAI Smile and Air Asia will resume flights, according to information released by Yangon International Airport. Smile Airlines Air Asia will resume flights on June 3 and Nok Air on July 1.

Source: Daily Eleven

A strategic roadmap for Myanmar tourism recovery (2021-2025) has been drawn up that includes 18 strategies and 93 actions in the post-COVID-19 pandemic, and the current, medium and longterm implementation plans will be implemented according to this policy, said Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism Dr Htay Aung at the 34th Joint Commission for East Asia Pacific and South Asia held by the World Tourism Organization. The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is working to develop Myanmar’s tourism industry, and since 2011, Myanmar’s tourism industry has grown rapidly.

According to compiled statistics, in 2019, more than 4.36 million tourists arrived. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 0.9 million passengers arrived in 2020 and only 0.13 million in 2021. The Union Minister said that Myanmar’s tourism industry, like other countries, was affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and is trying to recover as soon as possible. Efforts are being made to turn pandemic challenges into opportunities to become more resilient and revitalize tourism in line with the changing potential of the tourism industry. He added that Myanmar has set policies for the systematic and long-term development of tourism.

Enchanting Myanmar Health and Safety Protocols (HSP) certification for the health and safety of hotels and tourism-related industries to build tourism trust in Myanmar is being provided at the region/state level, national and international levels, and the Barrier Free Tourism Plan 2022-2025 is being drawn up to include all in the tourism industry. Furthermore, tourism awareness activities are being carried out to increase the capacity of those involved in tourism. The Union minister said at the meeting that foreign tourists are allowed to stay in accordance with the rules of COVID-19 as domestic and international flights are being reopened and visa services are resumed currently. The meeting was chaired by the Maldives, vice-chaired by Malaysia and held together with the Maldives Tourism Golden Jubilee ceremony. The meeting was attended by Tourism Ministers from member countries of East Asia and the Pacific and South Asia, senior officials and representatives from partner organizations. In line with this meeting, the World Summit on Community-Based Tourism will be held on 15 and 16 June.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Yangon International Airport was reopened to international travellers and businesses on 17 April after a two-year closure due to COVID-19. The first flight of SQ-761 from Singapore landed at the airport at 9 am on the reopening day. Arrivals from Malaysia and Bangkok were followed, and officials welcomed them. On 17 April, 688 departures and 393 arrivals from Yangon International Airport. The service was provided by MAI and MNA airlines. The first flight was launched on 18 April by passengers from Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, and Malaysia, and a total of 517 passengers have arrived on five airlines. On 19 April, the Bangkok-Yangon flight MAI-336 landed first with 32 passengers, followed by the UB-026 Kuala Lumpur-Yangon flight with 106 passengers.

Two hundred eighty-eight passengers arrived at the airport via five airlines from China (Guangzhou), South Korea (Incheon), Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand on the same day. In the evening, Guangzhou, Incheon, and Bangkok tourists continued to arrive. “Yangon International Airport caters to all needs of travellers. Everyone is happy about the reopening of Myanmar’s best airport,” said a Yangon Aerodrome Company (YACL) official at the Yangon International Airport. “And the country’s development is only through these airports, which are the country’s gateways. The tourism industry also needs to make it more attractive for tourists. “If we work harder to revitalize the tourism sector, we will be able to surpass the previous tourist arrivals as tourists love our country’s natural beauty,” he added.

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, passengers are required to go to the airport health counter and show the necessary COVID-19 virus-free PCR test and immunization certificate. Once the documents have been verified, passengers can go through the immigration process and pick up their luggage. After departure from the arrival area, passengers can obtain the information on the entrance to the Health Counter Quarantine arranged by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. The quarantine will be provided with check-in and checkout transportation arrangements, and foreign travellers on commercial flights will be able to enter the hotel with a one-day quarantine.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar