Rangoon (Mizzima) – Naypyidaw hotels are planning further expansion to meet demand in March for a gem fair scheduled to be held in the junta’s secluded capital as unfinished properties are being rushed towards completion, hoteliers claim.
Gem traders in Burma, one of the world’s biggest producers of precious stones, took in a record US$1.44 billion at a 13-day exhibition last month, an official told Reuters early this month. “These are the highest proceeds from a single sale of jade, gems and pearls since 1964,” he said. The fair in Naypyidaw attracted some 6,750 traders, 4,000 from overseas, with 9,157 lots of jade, 273 lots of gems and 237 lots of pearls sold in auctions, the official said.
“The emporium committee said the next gem emporium would attract more traders, so hotels in Naypyidaw are adding more rooms and the unfinished hotels are rushing to finish their projects,” a manager at the Sky Palace Hotel said.
The first gem emporium in Naypyidaw was held from November 17 to 29. According to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism, the capital had a total of more than 1,500 hotel rooms.
“Since November, our hotel was expanded from more than 40 rooms to 90 rooms before the emporium. [More] Guests are coming to Naypyidaw on business so, the capital always has many visitors,” a Royal Kumudra Hotel marketing manager said.
A manager at the Amaya Hotel said the property intended to add 64 rooms. “Currently, we are operating with the original 67 rooms and we’re adding 64 rooms before the gem emporium in March. Some new rooms have been completed and we’re trying to complete the remainder soon.”
Oriental Palace and Thingaha hotel representatives said they also planned to build their accommodation capacity.
Hoteliers said the tourism ministry had directed them to try to expand meet the urgent demand. “As soon as the gem emporium was planned to be held in Naypyidaw, the ministry told hoteliers to try to meet the likely demand,” a Naypyidaw hotelier said.
The Junction, Zabuthiri, Sky Palace, Mingalarthiri, Tongapuri, Man Myanmar, Myint Family, Country and Golden Land hotels were all under construction and scheduled for completion by March, sources said.
