Thứ Hai, 10 tháng 6, 2013

Myanmar uses global forums to spotlight tourism goals

BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT


The Nation June 10, 2013 1:00 am


Last Wednesday, Myanmar’s hotel and tourism minister outlined his country’s tourism vision at the World Economic Forum in its capital city Nay Pyi Taw. The next day, his staff were in Bangkok to promote Myanmar’s unspoiled attractions, from white-sand beaches to his-|torical religious sites, at “Thailand Travel Mart 2013 Plus” (TTM+2013) held by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.


The two efforts seem very meaningful for the newly opened nation. It is clear that the country is moving its tourism industry forward, considered one of the first priorities to drive economic prosperity and eliminate poverty.

“Absolutely, the World Economic Forum held in Myanmar has helped us promote our tourism industry on the global stage,” Phyu Phyu Mar, of the Myanmar Tourism Promotion Board, said at the TTM, where her country’s presentation got a warm welcome from foreign media.


She said this was the first step for Myanmar to connect with the global tourism community. Throughout the next year, she and her team will also fly to countries worldwide to attend eight tourism fairs, notably ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show. At TTM+2013, held last week at Muang Thong Thani, 10 tourism operators from her country were represented, including travel agencies, hotels and airlines, to show their products and services.


This year, Myanmar will host the annual SEA Games. In 2014, it will take the Asean chair and in 2015 will host the Asean Tourism Forum. Phyu Phyu Mar said these were crucial steps for the country to promote its tourism industry on regional platforms.


tourism master plan


However, the industry will have to be stabilised under the 2013-20 Tourism Master Plan. The plan is aimed at securing the tourism industry in the long term in all aspects including the environment, human-resource development, and infrastructure improvement.


One of its highlights is that all 21 government agencies associated with tourism in such issues as visas, customs and the environment will have to work in harmony to sustain the industry’s development. A Tourism Executive Coordination Board chaired by the vice president of the


country will be set up as a way to ensure cooperation.


In 2020, the country hopes to attract 2.2 million foreign tourists. Last year was the first time their numbers reached seven digits – about 1,058,000 – up from 816,369 in 2011 and 791,505 in 2010. In the first four months of this year, the number grew by 52 per cent over the same period last year.


In terms of airport facilities, the master plan calls for improving facilities in three airports – Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw – to secure combined capacity of 8 million passengers annually by 2018. It also aims to generate dramatically boost revenue. New hotels are planned to serve the coming tourism boom. They include global chains such as Accor and Hilton. Last year, Singapore was the biggest hotel investor in Myanmar, beginning construction of 12 hotels and apartment complexes with total value of US$597.75 million (Bt18.255 billion), followed by 10 projects from Thailand worth $235.75 million, and six from Japan costing $183 million.


At present, there are 742 hotels across Myanmar. Of them, 193 are located in Yangon and 70 in Mandalay.


Human-resource development will go in line with the growth of tourism as well. Phyu Phyu Mar acknowledged that her country still faced a shortage of workers skilled in the tourism industry. Currently no degree programmes in tourism are offered by Myanmar’s colleges and universities, only diplomas and short training programmes.


From now on, the government will invest more in human capital, while the private sector through the Myanmar Tourism Federation, which comprises of 11 member associations, will also play a role.



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Myanmar uses global forums to spotlight tourism goals

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