Myanmar: Yangon airport arrivals up almost 44pc
From January 1 to the end of April, 253,136 foreign visitors arrived at Yangon airport, a 43.88pc increase on the 175,930 recorded during the same period last year. Of the total, 64pc were tourists, including 108,168 free independent travellers, known as FITs, and 55,584 package tourists. Most of the 35.5pc growth in tourist arrivals came in the FIT sector.
There was also a 42.2pc rise in business travellers to 46,871, along with a 23.3pc rise in social visa holders to 15,276. Another 27,237 arrived on other types of visas, up almost three-fold on the same period in 2012.
The increase in visitors has largely been attributed to political and economic reforms undertaken by the government since 2010, with the stage appearing to be set for rapid and continuous growth in the industry.
More than 60 pc of visitors were from Asian countries (149,407), including about 37,333 from Thailand – the largest single group by nationality – followed by Japan with 21,779, South Korea with 18,813 and China with 16,041.
European nationals accounted for 67,460 visitors, led by France with 15,251, followed by the United Kingdom (13,119) and Germany (11,289).
Dr Aung Myat Kyaw, chairman of the Union of Myanmar Travel Association (UMTA), said the tourism industry was expecting another strong year.
“Last year more than a million tourists visited the country [through all entry points]. Since Myanmar is an increasingly popular destination, I believe arrival numbers will be 50pc more than last year.”
Mr Frank Janmaat, managing director of the Light House Hospitality Consultancy, told The Myanmar Times that for years the tourism industry had suffered because of negative reports in international media.
“There has been an enormous increase in foreign arrivals in the country over the past two years. Until a few years ago people thought that Myanmar was not ready for tourism. This had everything to do with all the negative reports in the international press written by reporters who had never visited and just took their information from the various anti-government campaigns without checking,” he said.
However, Mr Janmaat cautioned hoteliers against “killing the goose that lays the golden egg” by overcharging. “I understand that this is difficult after so many years of frustration and hardship but I hope that all involved work for long-term sustainability over short-term gain,” he said, noting that recently room rates had dropped slightly.
Yangon received the overwhelming majority of international air arrivals. Other significant gateways included Mandalay, Bagan and Nay Pyi Taw. Overland entry is permitted to tourists from Thailand, China and India with pre-arranged border passes.
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