Tourism Industry: Union Minister Joins34th Joint Commission Meeting

Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism Dr. Htay Aung joined the 34th Joint Commission for East Asia Pacific and South Asia meeting held by the World Tourism Organization.

In the meeting, the Union Minister said that a strategic roadmap for Myanmar tourism recovery (2021-2025) has been drawn up that includes 18 strategies and 93 actions in the post-COVID-19 pandemic, and the current, medium and long-term implementation plans will be implemented in line with the roadmap. 

According to compiled statistics, in 2019, more than 4.36 million tourists arrived in Myanmar. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 0.9 million passengers arrived in 2020 and only 0.13 million in 2021. Efforts are being made to turn pandemic challenges into opportunities to become more resilient and revitalize tourism in line with the changing potential of the tourism industry.

Myanmar Health and Safety Protocols (HSP) certification for the health and safety of hotels and tourism-related industries to build tourism trust in Myanmar is being provided at the region/state level, national and international levels, and the Barrier Free Tourism Plan 2022-2025 is being drawn up to include all in the tourism industry. Tourism awareness activities are being carried out to increase the capacity of those involved in tourism.

Foreign tourists are allowed to stay in accordance with the rules of COVID-19 as domestic and international flights are being reopened and visa services are resumed, the Union Minister added. The meeting was attended by tourism ministers from member countries of East Asia and the Pacific and South Asia, senior officials and representatives from partner organizations.