Domestic tourism industry not likely to decline this year

February 16, 2018

THE domestic tourism industry is not likely to decline this year because of the boost it has received this season, according to a report in Myawady Daily yesterday.

“Since 2010, domestic tourism has developed significantly. Now, the tourism industry can rely on domestic travellers in case of a decrease in the number of foreign tourists,” said U Than Htay, chairman of Domestic Pilgrimage and Tour Operators Association.

Some places restrict entry to foreign travellers, whereas local travellers are free to move anywhere across the country. Recently, the number of tourist destinations has also been increased in the country.

According to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, there were more than 8 million local travellers in 2017, an increase of one million compared with 2016. The number of local travellers is double the number of foreign travellers.

In 2016 and 2017, 52 per cent of the local travellers visited Inle, 46 per cent visited Kyaiktyo, 28 per cent visited the Sagaing region, 35 per cent visited Ngwehsaung beach, 27 per cent visited Chaungtha beach and 16 per cent visited the Mandalay region.

GNLM

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar