Tourism in Myanmar

Tourism in Myanmar (also known as Burma) is a developing sector. As at 2023, new tourist visa applications resume.[1] Although Myanmar possesses tourist potential, much of the industry remains to be developed. The number of visitors to Burma is small compared to its neighbouring countries. This is primarily due to its political situation. However, after the junta transferred power to the civilian government, the tourism sector saw an increase in tourism arrivals, and in 2012, tourist arrivals surpassed the one million mark for the first time. In 2013, the Tourism Master Plan was created, targeting 7.5 million arrivals by 2020.[2]

Balloon rides are a popular way for tourists to see pagodas and other areas of scenic beauty in Burma/Myanmar.

Tourism has been developed mainly by Myanmar's government, which has encouraged tourism since 1992. Private enterprises also exist, catering to a wide range of tourists.

In 2010, 791,505 foreign tourists visited Myanmar, with 295,174 foreign tourists entering the country via Yangon International Airport.[3] By 2012, more than 1 million foreign tourists visited Myanmar. In 2013, the number of foreign arrivals reached more than 2.04 million, counting both air and overland arrivals.[2]

Tourism has been promoted by advocacy groups as a method of providing economic benefit to Burmese civilians, and to avoid isolating the country from the rest of the world. Voices for Burma, a pro-democracy advocate group, states, "We believe that small-scale, responsible tourism can create more benefits than harm. So long as tourists are fully aware of the situation and take steps to maximise their positive impact and minimise the negatives, we feel their visit can be beneficial overall. Responsible tourists can help Burma primarily by bringing money to local communities and small businesses, and by raising awareness of the situation worldwide."[4]

A former Burmese tourism minister estimated that 12% of the government revenues are derived from tourism, with the tourism industry contributing US$182 million (2007) to the government's annual budget.[5]

Since March 2020, Myanmar has closed its borders to international tourists as a measure to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6][7] Furthermore, following the tumultuous political events in February 2021, the country has become increasingly isolated. Large-scale protests and escalating acts of violence have inflicted significant damage upon Myanmar's economy, including the tourism sector, which has been pushed into a state of decline.[8][9][10]

that the country will reopen to international flights starting from April 17, 2022, given the decrease in infection cases and the reopening of neighboring countries. In a statement issued by the committee, the decision to reopen aims to boost the tourism sector and provide favorable conditions for visitors to come and explore Myanmar.[11][12][13]

Statistics

In the 2010–2011 fiscal year, tourists comprised 73.84% (313,127 arrivals) of overseas visitors, primarily entering the country by air, representing 69.26% of arrivals, followed by land and sea, which represented 29.97% and 0.77% of arrivals respectively.[14] An additional 110,914 visitors arrived through other visa types and represented an additional 26.16% of the total.[14] In 2012, revenues from tourism jumped to over $534 million in 2012, up from $315 million in 2011.[15][16]

Recent data reveals that in 2016, Myanmar welcomed only 2.9 million tourists, marking a 38% decrease compared to the previous year (4.7 million visitors in 2015).[17] According to Rogers, the rosy projections about tourism potential led to significant investments in hotel construction. Data from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism indicates that within a span of five years (up until 2015), 1,300 hotels were built in Myanmar, with foreign businesses collectively investing $2.7 billion in hotel ventures.[18][19][20]

Tourist arrivals to Yangon Entry Point, Mandalay & Bagan Gateways, Nay Pyi Taw Gateway and Border Tourism.

YearTourist arrivals % Change
20191,364,101+23%[21]
20181,551,592+3.15%[22]
20171,443,133+18.00%[23]
20161,907,207-37.89%[24]
20151,681,020+51.91%
20141,081,412+50.73%
20131,044,307+93.04%
20121,058,995+29.72%
2011816,369+3.14%
2010791,505+3.79%
2009762,547+4.28%
2008731,230+2.06%

Tourists by nationality

The governmental statistics body, the Central Statistical Organization, reported more than 3,000,000 travellers flocked to Myanmar in 2014, compared with approximately 816,000 visitors in 2011. Among these, 1,022,081 tourist arrivals (excluding visitors under special entry visas such as social or business visas) were via Yangon International Airport.[25][26]

Most visitors arriving to Myanmar on short-term basis were from the following countries of nationality:[27]

RankCountry201920182017201620152014201320122011
1 China749,719333,085212,642183,886147,977125,60990,55070,80562,018
2 Thailand273,157291,231273,889243,443204,539198,229139,77094,34261,696
3 Japan125,706104,376101,484100,08490,31283,43468,67147,69021,321
4 South Korea111,79472,85265,82964,39763,71558,47254,93434,80522,524
5 United States66,75765,05773,08576,50269,01562,63153,65337,58921,680
6 Singapore57,89058,65761,85950,19845,12547,69239,14026,29615,391
7 Vietnam52,56753,32958,91948,869—————
8 Malaysia44,70347,63247,01043,93140,85246,53439,75830,49923,287
9 India48,40043,28141,62338,53734,63832,30621,04216,86812,318
10 France42,50843,21858,36952,30447,23541,45335,46230,06419,414
11 United Kingdom33,85736,60947,71751,05145,12040,92133,20324,29611,056
12 Germany29,44728,83839,95239,04435,72732,26527,71223,06314,006
13 Australia25,86727,96232,62834,01030,82029,17511,72818,26110,415
14 Italy19,12116,85518,24217,96914,82112,61311,72810,8309,710
15 Philippines17,39816,74818,14316,421—————
16 Spain13,58911,31513,55812,765—————
17 Canada11,05011,06514,06815,02414,05112,2688,9756,4853,685
18  Switzerland9,25710,01913,55813,69413,897————
19 Netherlands9,5009,42813,950——————
20 Hong Kong32,0057,183———————
21 Taiwan39,37435,685———————

Tourist attractions

The most popular available tourist destinations in Myanmar include big cities such as Yangon and Mandalay; religious sites in Mon State, Pindaya, Bago and Hpa-An; nature trails in Inle Lake, Kalaw, Kengtung, Putao, Pyin Oo Lwin; ancient cities such as Bagan and Mrauk-U; as well as beaches in Nabule Ngapali, Maungmagan Ngwe-Saung, Mergui.[28]

Kachin State

Yangon

Mandalay

Mon State

Rakhine State

Shan State

Other beaches

Ecotourism

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Myanmar
Site Image Location Criteria Area
ha (acre)		 Year Description Refs
Pyu city-states Myanmar|  Myanmar Cultural:
(ii), (iii), (iv)		 5,809 ha (proper); 6,790 ha (buffer zone) 2014 The site includes three of the six main Pyu city-states, namely Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra. [35]
Bagan Mandalay Region Cultural 2018 The site includes all of the monuments throughout the ancient capital of the Pagan kingdom. [36]

Tentative list to be added
Site Image Location Proposed criteria Year Listed as Tentative Site Description Refs
Wooden Monasteries of Konbaung Period: Ohn Don, Sala, Pakhangyi, Pakhannge, Legaing, Sagu, Shwe-Kyaung (Mandalay) Multiple locations Cultural 1996 The site includes seven wooden monasteries, nameyly, Ohn Don, Sala, Pakhangyi, Pakhannge, Legaing, Sagu, and Shwe-Kyaung (Mandalay). [37]
Badah-lin and associated caves Shan State Cultural 1996 The site includes various caves used as workshop and rock painting sites in the Paleolithic to Neolithic periods. [38]
Ancient cities of Upper Myanmar: Innwa, Amarapura, Sagaing, Mingun, Mandalay Multiple locations Cultural 1996 The site includes the historic cities of Innwa, Amarapura, Sagaing, Mingun, Mandalay [39]
Myauk-U Archaeological Area and Monuments Rakhine State Cultural 1996 The site includes all monuments built by the Arakanese kingdom's capital between the 15th to 16th centuries. [40]
Inle Lake Shan State Cultural 1996 The site includes the mountain lake and its preserved cultural landscape. [41]
Mon cities: Bago, Hanthawaddy Bago Region Cultural 1996 The site includes all monuments in Bago, formerly called Hanthawaddy. [42]
Ayeyawady River Corridor Multiple locations Natural 2014 The site includes three main segments, namely Mingun to Kyauk Maung segment, Moda Section,Takaung to Shwegu segment, and Shwegu to Bhamo segment. [43]
Hkakabo Razi Landscape Kachin State Natural 2014 The site includes Hkakabo Razi National Park and Hponkan Razi Wildlife Sanctuary, along with a proposed Southern Extension of Hkakabo Razi National Park. [44]
Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary Kachin State Natural 2014 The site includes the entire Indawgyi lake. [45]
Natma Taung National Park Chin State Natural 2014 The site includes Nat Ma Taung, the highest point in Chin State. [46]
Myeik Archipelago Tanintharyi Region Natural 2014 The site includes more than 800 islands of primarily limestone and granite. The archipelago is home to the Moken people. [47]
Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary Kachin State Natural 2014 The site is highly significant in the conservation of Indochinese tigers. [48]
Taninthayi Forest Corridor Taninthayi Region Natural 2014 The site is an important mixed deciduous forest with bamboo clumps as well as grassland and is a thriving site for the endangered Gurney's pitta. [49]

Historical Politics

In May 2011, Aung San Suu Kyi and her party National League for Democracy expressed the opinion that responsible tourism to Burma should be encouraged. Other pro-democracy activists, such as Ma Thanegi, advocated small scale tourism, and careful spending. Tourists are welcome to Burma provided they are "keen to promote the welfare of the common people and the conservation of the environment and to acquire an insight into the cultural, political and social life of the country while enjoying a happy and fulfilling holiday in Burma."[50][51] In their official statement they request not only the development of the people's livelihood but also the promotion of "self respect and self-reliance in the people."[52]

See also

References
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  4. Voices For Burma's tourism policy http://www.voicesforburma.org/
  5. "Report on Tourism in Burma" (PDF). Info Birmanie. March 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2011. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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  26. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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  38. "Badah-lin and associated caves".
  39. "Ancient cities of Upper Myanmar: Innwa, Amarapura, Sagaing, Mingun, Mandalay".
  40. "Mrauk-U".
  41. "Inle Lake".
  42. "Mon cities: Bago, Hanthawaddy".
  43. "Ayeyawady River Corridor".
  44. "Hkakabo Razi Landscape".
  45. "Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary".
  46. "Natma Taung National Park".
  47. "Myeik Archipelago".
  48. "Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary".
  49. "Taninthayi Forest Corridor".
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Myanmar.
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