Myanmar-China Tourism Development meeting Held at Yangon International Airport

Myanmar – China Tourism Development Meeting was held at Terminal 3, Yangon International Airport (YIA) on 30^th October 2018. The meeting was initiated by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism as part of the follow-up in Myanmar’s to boost tourism after the implementation of visa free travel for Japan and South Korea and visa on arrival for China on 1^st   October 2018. Yangon Aerodrome Company Limited (YACL), as one of the stakeholders in the tourism industry, jointly hosted the meeting discussion with International Travel Asia (ITA), a private company with its business focus in the development of Myanmar tourism. ITA is an associate of the Asia World Group of companies.

Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism H.E U Ohn Maung graced his presence together with members of Myanmar Tourism Federation. Participants of the meeting discussion are partners in the development of tourism in Myanmar with special focus on tourists from China from the China Enterprises, Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, Chinese airlines, local tour operators, Chinese media, ICBC Bank together with representatives from YACL and ITA. YACL’s concessionaires from the commercial segments such as RGS, operating the duty-free shops at Yangon International Airport were also present.

H.E U Ohn Maung quoted in the meeting said, “This meeting is necessary for the development of Chinese tourism to Myanmar. Our Ministry is setting up policies and guidelines to promote tourism to Myanmar. We need to be ready in every aspect such as infrastructure, hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses to ensure Chinese tourists will be attracted to Myanmar, enjoy the warm hospitality of Myanmar and its people. It is also important that the tourists will have a better understanding of Myanmar during their stay here.”

Following the discussion, YACL presented current facilities and capacities at YIA. Mr. Pedro Cavem, Operation Director of YIA presented that YIA is ready to receive more flights and passengers at YIA with its new facilities as well as development plans. YACL together with its sister company, Pioneer Aerodrome Services Company Limited, the operator of Naypyitaw International Airport, have been engaging airlines based in China through its Routes Conferences as well as in co-ordination with ITA, to develop new routes originating from China to Myanmar. Tourism promotion videos and brochures have been widely circulated during such activities to promote Myanmar as a destination.

YIA currently received almost 10 Chinese flights per day and has in the pipeline more flights originating from major cities in China to Yangon in the next few months. As part of a core strategy, YACL is aggressively taking its initiative to develop new routes from Yangon with Myanmar’s national carrier, Myanmar National Airline, not only to cities of China but other destinations across the world in anticipation of potential demand.

This overall discussion among the stakeholders also stressed upon the difficulties and challenges in the development of tourism in Myanmar. H.E. U Ohn Maung on behalf of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism assured the stakeholders of the continuing support and assistance to overcome difficulties and challenges ahead and its challenging parts on sectors such as hotels and hospitality across Myanmar.

H.E U Ohn Maung further highlighted that all the stakeholders to take firm responsibilities on respective sectors creating ideas to develop Myanmar tourism and more works to be done in his concluding remarks.