The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism will conduct data collection on tourist attractions, and research will be followed for the development of the tourism industry in those areas, said the ministry’s Permanent Secretary U Hlaing Oo.
Since last year, the conduction of a survey on statistics related to the tourism industry, about visitor stay, what visitors enjoy, and opportunities for the travel industry has begun with the support of the Lancang-Mekong project, he said.
“Surveying has been started since last year with the aid of China under the Lancang-Mekong project. The survey covered destinations where foreigners visited as well as popular destinations for local visitors such as Ngwehsaung, Chaungtha, Ngapali, PyinOoLwin, Mandalay and Bagan. We collected data, especially on destinations. Through surveying popular destinations for both local and foreign visitors, we will continue to carry out research for the tourism development of those areas,” he said.
Besides, Myanmar has opportunities for implementing community-based tourism (CBT), and at the same time, SOPs have been developed, he said. The ministry will continue to develop procedures for job creation and business opportunity when there is a common consent for SOPs, he added.
“There are many opportunities to implement CBTs in our country. Because the environment of those destinations and the culture and customs of local ethnics have been displayed for the visitors. CBT means the conservation of the environment and the culture of the tribes with the cooperation of local organizations like wards or villages, and job creation and means of livelihood will be developed at the same time. So, we have now developed SOPs to implement CBT, and we will continue to write procedures for job creation and business opportunities for residents after SOPs are set,” he said.
At present, the arrival of both foreign and local visitors has increased, and it is likely to develop more in 2024, said the permanent secretary. — MT/ZS
