Myanmar wooing Bangladeshi tourists

Experts of the tourism sector predict that the number of Bangladeshi tourists to Myanmar will mark a sharp jump as now both Dhaka and Yangon are working to boost this sector

Myanmar has become an attractive destination to Bangladeshis as both Dhaka and Yangon are pledge-bound to boost the tourism sector.   
Following the peacefully and credible held parliament election by the military regime in Myanmar, tour operators are expecting a jump in tourist arrival in the ASEAN country.
A total of 3,654 Bangladeshis visited Myanmar in 2014 as against a total of 1981 Bangladeshis in 2013.
It is quite well-known some leading Bangladeshi businessmen have started visiting neighbouring country as newly-elected government has promised to give various incentives to foreign investors.
Experts of the tourism sector predicts that the number of Bangladeshi tourists will mark a sharp jump as now both Dhaka and Yangon are working to boost this sector.
The secretary of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Khorshed Alam Chowdhury said the direct flight introduced by a private airline, NOVOAIR, between Dhaka and Yangon will help boost communication between two countries in both economic and diplomatic fronts.
“Relationship between Bangladesh and Myanmar will benefit the two countries,” he said while inaugurating NOVOAIR’s first flight on international routes last year.
 NOVOAIR has already proved its best service to the passenger on domestic routes. We hope this rhythm will continue to operate flights on its international route.
The Civil Aviation Secretary believes that the new international route will play a vital role in strengthening diplomatic relations between the two countries.
According to Managing Director of NOVOAIR Ltd Mofizur Rahman, Myanmar is one of the most attractive places for tourists.
Since 2010, when Myanmar opened for foreign investment, many global investors are now setting-up their businesses in Myanmar, especially on oil, gas, energy, mineral, telecommunication, banking, infrastructure, tourism and many other sectors. Mofizur Rahman emphasized the necessity of direct flights from Dhaka.
Many overseas entrepreneurs are also establishing their businesses in Myanmar now and the number is increasing day by day.
There will be three flights operating on Dhaka–Yangon-Dhaka route once a week on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday operated by its aircraft Embraer ERJ145.
It is offering also a travel package for the tourists for two nights and three days, including visa processing and hotel booking expense a minimum total of Tk 29,522 per person on a twin share basis.
Meanwhile, a total of 1131624 tourists visited Myanmar in 2014 year as the total contribution to the travel and tourism sector of the southeast Asian country is estimated at 3.216 billion US dollars, according to Myanmar Tourism Statistics 2014.
Thailand, China, Japan, South Korea,  Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan,  India, Hong Kong,  Bangladesh and other Asian countries constitute 71.39 per cent of the total tourists in Myanmar.
West Europe shares 15.51 per cent of total tourists, North America 6.62 per cent, East Europe 1.20 per cent, Middle-east countries 0.42 per cent
Myanmar, the Southeast Asian country also known as Burma, has been a hotbed of hotel activity lately, in terms of both visitor numbers and hotel investment.
Htay Aung, minister for hotels and tourism, called tourism one of Myanmar’s fastest-growing industries, with the growth rate tripling since the country opened its doors to foreign investors in 2011, according to sources. The country welcomed 1 million foreign travelers in the first four months of 2015, up 7 percent year-on-year. It aims to have 10 million foreign tourists by 2020.
Many international hotel chains are entering the country — Accor Group, Hilton, Dusit, Best Western and Royal Park recently opened hotels in Myanmar.
Kempinski opened the doors of its first property in the country, the Kempinski Hotel Nay Pyi Taw, at the end of 2014. While many first-time visitors travel to Yangon, this property is located in the country’s less-visited capital. The hotel comprises 106 rooms and 35 suites, five restaurants and bars, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, fitness center and on-site spa, according to Fodor’s.
That increase in tourism is pushing up direct foreign investment in the country’s hotel sector, and FDI has reportedly reached US$2.7 billion, according to a recent Hotel Management article.
The Myanmar government is tearing down barriers to attract more foreign direct investment, and has introduced the Myanmar Tourism Master Plan in order to spur more development and investment. It also plans to boost its food and hospitality standards.
Hotel investment is largely coming from Asia Pacific, including Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan and Malaysia. The UK, Luxemburg and the United Arab Emirates are also players in this relatively untapped market.
Myanmar investment in the sector was a reported US$55 million in 2011 and the amount increased to US$553 million in 2014. Investment by local and foreign investors in the sector is expected to top US$3 billion in 2015.
Myanmar Tourism Federation president Khin Aung Htum said the country had positioned itself as an affordable destination, while its room rates had dropped by nearly 50 percent with the influx of new hotels.
The Myanmar tourism industry accounted for 4.2 percent of the overall gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. It created about 6.5 percent of the total job opportunities .
There are over 1,000 hotels including inns, motels and guest houses owned by local businessmen, most of which are located in Yangon, the commercial hub of Myanmar.
There is a total of 39 foreign-invested hotels and commercial complexes across the country including Yangon and Mandalay Region.
Amid the surge in tourist arrival, the number of tourism companies also increased, reaching 1,623 in 2014.
To boost regional tourism, Myanmar will host the 34th annual ASEAN Tourism Forum for the first time from Jan. 22 to Jan. 29 which is expected to be attended by some 1,500 participants from 40 countries, including tourism ministers and officials, ASEAN exhibitors and international buyers, as well as local and international media circle.
Singapore has invested 1525.052 million US dollars in hotel and commercial complexes of Myanmar, Vietnam 440.00 million US dollars,  Thailand 339.750 million US dollars,  Hong Kong 150.520 million US dollars, Japan 62.00 million dollars,  Malaysia 23.136 million US dollars,  United Kingdom 7.9 million dollars,  Luxem­bourg  5.2 million dollars and UAE 4.00 million dollars.

    The writer is a freelancer

Myanmar wooing Bangladeshi tourists

Experts of the tourism sector predict that the number of Bangladeshi tourists to Myanmar will mark a sharp jump as now both Dhaka and Yangon are working to boost this sector

Myanmar has become an attractive destination to Bangladeshis as both Dhaka and Yangon are pledge-bound to boost the tourism sector. Following the peacefully and credible held parliament election by the military regime in Myanmar, tour operators are expecting a jump in tourist arrival in the ASEAN country. A total of 3,654 Bangladeshis visited Myanmar in 2014 as against a total of 1981 Bangladeshis in 2013. It is quite well-known some leading Bangladeshi businessmen have started visiting neighbouring country as newly-elected government has promised to give various incentives to foreign investors. Experts of the tourism sector predicts that the number of Bangladeshi tourists will mark a sharp jump as now both Dhaka and Yangon are working to boost this sector. The secretary of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Khorshed Alam Chowdhury said the direct flight introduced by a private airline, NOVOAIR, between Dhaka and Yangon will help boost communication between two countries in both economic and diplomatic fronts. Relationship between Bangladesh and Myanmar will benefit the two countries, he said while inaugurating NOVOAIRs first flight on international routes last year. NOVOAIR has already proved its best service to the passenger on domestic routes. We hope this rhythm will continue to operate flights on its international route. The Civil Aviation Secretary believes that the new international route will play a vital role in strengthening diplomatic relations between the two countries. According to Managing Director of NOVOAIR Ltd Mofizur Rahman, Myanmar is one of the most attractive places for tourists. Since 2010, when Myanmar opened for foreign investment, many global investors are now setting-up their businesses in Myanmar, especially on oil, gas, energy, mineral, telecommunication, banking, infrastructure, tourism and many other sectors. Mofizur Rahman emphasized the necessity of direct flights from Dhaka. Many overseas entrepreneurs are also establishing their businesses in Myanmar now and the number is increasing day by day. There will be three flights operating on DhakaYangon-Dhaka route once a week on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday operated by its aircraft Embraer ERJ145. It is offering also a travel package for the tourists for two nights and three days, including visa processing and hotel booking expense a minimum total of Tk 29,522 per person on a twin share basis. Meanwhile, a total of 1131624 tourists visited Myanmar in 2014 year as the total contribution to the travel and tourism sector of the southeast Asian country is estimated at 3.216 billion US dollars, according to Myanmar Tourism Statistics 2014. Thailand, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and other Asian countries constitute 71.39 per cent of the total tourists in Myanmar. West Europe shares 15.51 per cent of total tourists, North America 6.62 per cent, East Europe 1.20 per cent, Middle-east countries 0.42 per cent Myanmar, the Southeast Asian country also known as Burma, has been a hotbed of hotel activity lately, in terms of both visitor numbers and hotel investment. Htay Aung, minister for hotels and tourism, called tourism one of Myanmars fastest-growing industries, with the growth rate tripling since the country opened its doors to foreign investors in 2011, according to sources. The country welcomed 1 million foreign travelers in the first four months of 2015, up 7 percent year-on-year. It aims to have 10 million foreign tourists by 2020. Many international hotel chains are entering the country Accor Group, Hilton, Dusit, Best Western and Royal Park recently opened hotels in Myanmar. Kempinski opened the doors of its first property in the country, the Kempinski Hotel Nay Pyi Taw, at the end of 2014. While many first-time visitors travel to Yangon, this property is located in the countrys less-visited capital. The hotel comprises 106 rooms and 35 suites, five restaurants and bars, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, fitness center and on-site spa, according to Fodors. That increase in tourism is pushing up direct foreign investment in the countrys hotel sector, and FDI has reportedly reached US$2.7 billion, according to a recent Hotel Management article. The Myanmar government is tearing down barriers to attract more foreign direct investment, and has introduced the Myanmar Tourism Master Plan in order to spur more development and investment. It also plans to boost its food and hospitality standards. Hotel investment is largely coming from Asia Pacific, including Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan and Malaysia. The UK, Luxemburg and the United Arab Emirates are also players in this relatively untapped market. Myanmar investment in the sector was a reported US$55 million in 2011 and the amount increased to US$553 million in 2014. Investment by local and foreign investors in the sector is expected to top US$3 billion in 2015. Myanmar Tourism Federation president Khin Aung Htum said the country had positioned itself as an affordable destination, while its room rates had dropped by nearly 50 percent with the influx of new hotels. The Myanmar tourism industry accounted for 4.2 percent of the overall gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. It created about 6.5 percent of the total job opportunities . There are over 1,000 hotels including inns, motels and guest houses owned by local businessmen, most of which are located in Yangon, the commercial hub of Myanmar. There is a total of 39 foreign-invested hotels and commercial complexes across the country including Yangon and Mandalay Region. Amid the surge in tourist arrival, the number of tourism companies also increased, reaching 1,623 in 2014. To boost regional tourism, Myanmar will host the 34th annual ASEAN Tourism Forum for the first time from Jan. 22 to Jan. 29 which is expected to be attended by some 1,500 participants from 40 countries, including tourism ministers and officials, ASEAN exhibitors and international buyers, as well as local and international media circle. Singapore has invested 1525.052 million US dollars in hotel and commercial complexes of Myanmar, Vietnam 440.00 million US dollars, Thailand 339.750 million US dollars, Hong Kong 150.520 million US dollars, Japan 62.00 million dollars, Malaysia 23.136 million US dollars, United Kingdom 7.9 million dollars, Luxembourg 5.2 million dollars and UAE 4.00 million dollars. The writer is a freelancer