Tourism Industry: 21 Hotels Back in Operation in Bagan

21 hotels in Bagan have been allowed to reopen in line with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health. 164 hotels in Bagan-Nyaung U area have been closed temporarily since April 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19.

Bagan has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and always packed with the local and foreign visitors. Temples in Bagan were built a thousand years ago, and they are one of the most important collections of Buddhist architecture in the world. The number of tourists entering Bagan Nyaung U area is on the decline significantly due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Assistant director, Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (Bagan Branch), Myo Min Aung said “There are a total of 164 hotels in Bagan-Nyaung U area. Among them, 14 are from Kyaukpadaung. So, there are 150 hotels in Bagan and Nyaung U. At present, 21 of them are back in operation.”

Bagan’s tourism industry is badly hammered by COVID-19 pandemic and those engaged in tourism-related businesses including hotels are suffering huge financial losses.

The Assistant Director, Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (Bagan Branch), Myo Min Aung said “In cooperation with the related departments, we checked the hotels that submitted for reopening in line with the version-3 guidelines. We have made inspection to a total of 94 hotels. Some of them still closed temporarily as there are less visitors and much expenses including maintenance cost and staff salary.”

Majority of tourists to Bagan-Nyaung U area come from China, France, Japan, UK, United States, Germany, Thailand and Korea. Bagan ancient cultural zone welcomed 280,000 foreigners in 2017 and attracted over 300,000 tourists in 2018, according to the statistics of the ministry.