Nay Pyi Taw, 24 September
The military council has named 14 places that should be visited by local and foreign travelers in Myanmar, but the current situation does not favor them to do so, tour guides told Than Lwin Times.
On 21 September, the junta’s Ministry of Hotels and Tourism announced the 14 priority destinations for domestic and foreign tourists to visit in the upcoming open season.
Among the 14 places designated by the junta were Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Ngwesaung, Chaungtha, Ngapali, Pyin Oo Lwin, Inlay, Kalaw, Taunggyi, Kyaukphyu, , Munaung and Putao and Kawthaung.
If tourists visit these areas, they can enjoy the ancient cultural heritage such as historical pagodas, ancient buildings, ethnic traditional culture, pleasant weather and the natural beauty of the forest, mountains, and water, said the statement.
A tour guide said that although the military council is identifying tourist destinations, there are still difficulties due to strict inspections along the road, the early closing of bridges, and security conditions.
Furthermore, he stated that because the tourism industry only uses land, the tours being designated by the military council are impractical because there is no safety on the road due to the ongoing conflict.
Curfews, checking overnight guests, and other restrictions imposed by the military council, according to tourists, are adversely affecting the industry, said tour operators.
The statement of the junta’s Ministry of Hotel and Tourism emerged after the West, including the United States, designated Myanmar as a dangerous place to travel.
On September 18, the British Foreign Office warned its citizens not to travel to Mon, Kachin, Chin, Kayah, Karen, northern Rakhine State, Sagaing, Magway, and Tanintharyi.
Myanmar’s tourism sector, which is known as a smokeless industry, is facing the worst decline due to the armed conflict that arose as a result of the coup, and most of the tourism businesses have halted over losses.
News-Than Lwin Times
Photo-TLT
Thanlwintimes