PHNOM PENH, SEPT 29 – Myanmar’s army chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing called on all parties to reduce violence and restore peace to attract more tourists to the country which only received half a million visitors in the first five months of this year.
The Southeast Asian country is surrounded by beautiful beaches, snow-capped mountains, islands, and fertile plains that attracted one million tourists last year.
Speaking on World Tourism Day 2024 at the Myanmar International Convention Center II in Nay Pyi Taw, the army chief asked tour operators to promote safe tourism with the theme Tourism and Peace as security is a top priority, state-owned media The Global New Light of Myanmar reported.
“All tourism operators are urged to cooperate with the government in starting the reconciliation process to ensure the long-term development of Myanmar’s tourism industry.
The ministry and tourism organizations need to improve tourism services and disseminate real information about safe and secure travel to destinations in Myanmar to tourists in a short time,” said Min Aung Hlaing, who is also the Chairman of the National Administrative Council, the state-owned media reported.
Myanmar fell into political chaos after a coup in February 2021 when the military overthrew the democratically elected government, causing many countries, the business community, and tourists to shun the country.
The World Bank’s June 2024 Myanmar Economic Monitoring Report revealed that the ongoing conflict has affected the tourism sector, which is one of the country’s main income generators.
“After a relatively good recovery in international arrivals in 2023, tourism has experienced a decline since early 2024 due to increased conflict. – Named
