Myanmar plans to attract more western travellers

Myanmar plans to attract more western travellers
Chinese tourists with visa on arrival seen at Yangon International Airport
Chinese tourists with visa on arrival seen at Yangon International Airport
Published 14 March 2019
Shun Le Win

Myanmar is planning to reduce visa restrictions on western countries such as France, Germany, Russia, Poland, Italy and Spain, according to Immigration Department from Yangon International Airport.

The visit of travellers from western countries was reduced in recent years due to political affairs in Myanmar and hotel and tourism companies and respective ministries are cooperating to attract visitors from western countries.

“We are planning to reduce visa restrictions to attract more visitors from France, Germany, Russia, Poland, Italy and Spain as the first step,” said Naung Naung Han, General Secretary of Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.

Myanmar granted 12 kinds of visas for foreign tourists starting from January 11, 2016 and two additional visas were granted from February 8, 2018.

Myanmar granted visa exemption to the travellers from Japan and South Korea on October 1. Moreover, the Chinese including Hong Kong and Macau, special administrative regions of China, were also allowed to enter Myanmar through visa on arrival.

The passengers from Japan and South Korea do not need to apply visa in Myanmar and visa exemption was granted on October 1. They can stay for 30 days in Myanmar but the visa extension is not allowed. These travellers can enter Myanmar not only from Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw airports but also from border gates.

Myanmar allowed travellers from over 100 countries to apply e-visa and travellers from 54 countries have been allowed to apply visa on arrival.