Myanmar Welcomes Malaysian Tourists

By Manik Mehta

KUCHING, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Myanmar, which still continues to remain enigmatic for much of the outside world despite having embarked on what is euphemised as its "opening" and the gradual liberalisation of its once tightly-controlled society, is very keen to attract tourists from Malaysia.

Besides being a tourist destination, Malaysia has also become the source of tourists for many tourism markets of the world.

In an interview with Bernama on the sidelines of the ongoing Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2014 here, Myanmar's minister of hotels and tourism, U Htay Aung, said Myanmar offered a string of attractions for Malaysian tourists.

"Myanmar's ancient culture and its hospitality, along with a multitude of landmarks, are world-renowned. Indeed, Malaysian tourists are very welcome in our country and we hope that our presence here in Kuching will send this message to our Malaysian friends," Aung said.

The minister pointed out that there were good air connections available between Malaysia and Myanmar.

As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Myanmar had found Malaysia supportive in its bid to "open up" to the world. Aung also expressed "deep appreciation" to Malaysia for its support in being named as the host country for the ATF 2015 which will be held in Nay Pyi Daw, in January 2015 with the theme "Asean Tourism Towards Peace, Prosperity and Partnership".

Before Myanmar's appointment as the host country for the ATF 2015, that country lobbied extensively amongst the Asean member countries. Asean sources at the ATF 2014 in Kuching told Bernama, on the condition of anonymity, that Malaysia had indeed extended support to Myanmar's candidature as a venue for next year's event.

The minister also spoke of the "two-tier" category that exists in the Asean group as it evolves itself to the next level of integration in 2015, which will see the creation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) and become seamless.

"On the one hand, you have countries which are economically strong while, on the other, you have countries that are still in their nascent stage of development," he said.

Though inbound tourism into Myanmar took off from a low base, the country recorded an impressive 90 per cent growth in 2013, clocking a total of 2.04 million foreign visiting tourists. Of these, some 900,000 visitors arrived by air and the rest took the overland route, particularly from China and Thailand.

The country hopes to increase the tourist arrivals "significantly" in the years ahead, though Aung did not name any target figure or the percentage of growth envisaged.

But the minister also spoke openly about the urgent need to develop the country's anachronistic infrastructure and boost its air connectivity with major tourist markets.

"We are keen to build new airports and modernise and expand existing ones," he said, adding that, besides Yangon, Mandalay's international airport was also lined up for a major facelift.

Sandwiched between the two giant neighbours, India and China, Myanmar is also keen to attract tourists and investors from India with which it shares strong cultural, historical and culinary similarities." Myanmar also sought investors from India to engage in its travel and tourism trade, including the hospitality and gastronomy sectors.

The minister revealed that delegations representing major Indian hotels, including the Tata and Oberoi groups, had already visited Myanmar.

Myanmar would also like Indian and other foreign companies to participate in building up the country's infrastructure, including roads, seaports for sea-cruises and sea trade.

Aung said that the ATF 2014 in Kuching had served as an eye opener for his country's tourism trade and that the "experiences" at the Kuching venue would help Myanmar in organising the ATF 2015.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/myanmar-welcomes-malaysian-tourists/