Chinese tourist arrivals increase nearly twofold

Chinese tourist arrivals increase nearly twofold
Published 16 September 2019

 

During eight months of this year, the number of Chinese visitors to Myanmar has increased by 161 per cent or a nearly twofold increase, according to the figures released by the Commerce Ministry. 

Till August, the number of Chinese visitors reached 457,069, up 282,145 compared with the same period last year. 

Due to the Rakhine issue in 2017, the number of visitors from the western countries has declined by 40 per cent. In a bid to increase the number of tourists, from October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019, Myanmar allowed visa exemption for visitors from Hong Kong and Macau, two Special Administration Regions of China and visa on arrival for Chinese visitors who come to Myanmar by flight for one-year probationary period. After that, the number of Chinese visitors to Myanmar has increased. 

At a press conference held at Yangon Region Government Office on August 30, Naw Pan Thinzar Myo, Yangon Region Minister for Kayin Ethnics Affairs and vice-chair of Yangon Region Tourism Committee said: “On June 21, Myanmar formed a team to monitor and review the arrival of Chinese tourists. It is now at the stage of negotiation in order to control the inflow of visitors within three months.”

“The government plans to control the inflow of zero budget tourists. This process will tighten the rules for restaurants and hotels. The government will control the local tour companies which connect  tourists for their responsibility and accountability. In addition, it will scrutinize the collection of entrance fees and tourist arrival lists,” she added. 

Ministry of Hotels and Tourism on August 16, announced that it would extend the probationary period for visa exemption and visa on arrival for tourists from China, Japan and South Korea from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. 

Naung Naung Han, President of Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association said: “Thanks to the success of one-year visa exemption and visa on arrival, the government plans to extend it. We have to welcome Chinese visitors. It needs to control the zero budget in accordance with the law and to scrutinize whether they pay taxes to the government or not.” 

During the same period, South Korea stood second on the list of tourist arrivals, with 78,489. The number of tourist arrivals from South Korea increased by 77 per cent and Italian visitors, by 19 per cent. The number of tourist arrivals from ASEAN countries like Thailand and Malaysia and the west European countries like the UK, Switzerland, Belgium and France, according to the statement.

In 2018, the number of tourist arrivals reached 3,551,428. The number of tourist arrivals is expected to reach over 4.5 million  in 2020, according to Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.