Central Committee Meeting: Nat’l Tourism Devt. Cntrl Comm. Held The First Meeting

The National Tourism Development Central Committee held the first meeting at Horizon Lake View Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday, with an address by Chairman of the Central Committee Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Commander in-Chief of Defence Services Commander in-Chief (Army) Vice Senior General Soe Win. Speaking on the occasion, the Central Committee Chairman said today’s meeting was to discuss the ways and means to rapidly develop Myanmar’s tourism services for creating jobs for local people and resurge the businesses related to tourism industry depending on control of COVID-19 infection.

The tourism industry can create millions of jobs and business opportunities in global countries and it is a drive for new generations to enjoy natural and ancient cultural heritages and preservation tasks.

In some countries having the development of tourism industry, income from the tourism industry is playing a key role in State economy. And, it is the third-largest export sector of the global economy.

Moreover, the tourism sector is of great importance in the exploration of new sites for humans, culture and exposures as well as conservation of natural biodiversity. As the tourism industry is important not only for Myanmar but for the whole world, all global countries including Myanmar are implementing the tourism sector in line with the sustainable development goals of the United Nations for systematic development in the long run.

Due to COVID-19, arrivals of tourists in Myanmar in 2020 declined 79 per cent in comparison with that of 2019 with an 81 per cent decrease of income from the tourism industry.

Moreover, the country lost many opportunities for jobs related to the tourism industry. Officials of the Ministry of Health and Sports, volunteers and people should participate in the prevention, control and treatment of the disease. Myanmar needs to implement Agri Tourism, Farming Tourism and Nature-based Tourism to be operated together with agricultural tasks.

Myanmar cooperates with ASEAN in drawing ASEAN level policies for recovery of businesses and the Common Health Guidelines, implementing ASE-AN Travel Corridor, recognizing Travel Pass and Safely Protocol, and establishing ASEAN Tourism Recovery Fund. Respective region and state administration councils were urged to cooperate in the enhancement of pilot projects for domestic tourism services in a short time.

Officials reported on the implementation of the meeting decisions, formation of tourism committees and enhancement of domestic tourism services. Central Committee members Union ministers and deputy minister, the chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council and officials discussed progress and challenges for the development of tourism sector, restrictions for domestic travel, issuance of entry visa, improvement of transport, laboratory tests, quarantine process and creation of new destinations.

Later, the Vice-Senior General urged officials to cooperate in guaranteeing security for the tourists and local people. The Ministry of Health and Sports and relevant businesspersons are to participate in the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic.