Tourists to top 3 million by end of 2014

22 December 2014
Tourists to top 3 million by end of 2014
 Selling umbrellas to tourists in Myanmar. Photo: Mizzima

Tourist arrivals in Myanmar are certain to exceed the expected number of over 3 million with over 100,000 more arrivals in the first week of December alone, according to a press release by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism on December 17.
A total of 2.7 million tourists visited the country from January to the end of November 2014.
Based on the rate of tourist arrivals up until today, the country is expected to score 3 million tourist visits by the end of 2014, Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism U Htay Aung told Mizzima.
Since the country began opening up in 2011, tourist and business arrivals have increased. The year 2012 saw 1.06 million arrivals and 2013 saw over 2.04 million.
According to the ministry’s tourism master plan, Myanmar expects tourist arrivals to reach an ambitious 5 million in 2015.
Tour company operators say global interest in Myanmar is increasing year by year and reaching such a target is feasible.
The majority of visitors to Myanmar come from Asia, followed by European countries, the United States and Australia.
As the number of tourists is on the increase, the government is working to develop tourist destinations in Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inlay, as well as attractions in the Kayah and Chin states.