Myanmar expects to attract more tourists in 2015

FE Team | Published: January 09, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

YANGON, Jan 8 (Xinhua): Myanmar, among the world tourist destinations, received 3.05 million tourists in 2014, with an expectation to attract five million tourists in 2015.
Of the 3.05 million tourists who visited Myanmar in 2014, 70 per cent mainly came from Asean member countries, followed by those from Europe especially Britain and Germany.
The 2014 figure was up 49.5 per cent from 2.04 million in 2013, official statistics shows.
Myanmar also targets to bring in over 7.5 million tourists in 2020.
Myanmar's tourism earning hit US$1.14 billion in 2014, breaking the record of last year's $914 million.
The tourism industry accounted for 4.2 per cent of the overall gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. It created about 6.5 per cent 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 January 22 to January 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.
During the eight-day forum, Asean Tourism Ministers Meeting, Ministerial Meeting between on Tourism between Asean and its dialogue partners, Asean Tourism Authorised Persons' Meeting and related meetings including business matching sessions will take place in the capital.
According to regional tourism statistics, 99.2 million international tourists visited Asean in 2013.
In a bid to boost tourist arrivals in the country, Myanmar has introduced online e-visa for tourists from 67 economies including Asean's since September 1, 2014.