Saturday, August 24, 2024
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The Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism of Myanmar, Thet Thet Khine, emphasized the significant impact of Chinese tourists on both Myanmar’s tourism sector and the global tourism market, citing China’s large population and robust economy as key factors.
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Friday, Thet Thet Khine stated, “China’s vast population and strong economy, coupled with its substantial spending power, make Chinese tourists influential not only in Myanmar but also on a global scale.”
The minister highlighted that in 2023, Thailand and China were the leading sources of tourist arrivals in Myanmar, underscoring China’s critical role in the country’s tourism industry. “China represents a major tourism market for Myanmar. To cater to this, we offer visa-on-arrival and e-visa options for Chinese visitors. The presence of Chinese tourists is essential for us,” she noted.
She further mentioned that many Myanmar citizens also travel to China, creating mutual benefits through tourism between the two nations. “Tourism fosters connections, trust, and understanding between our peoples, which in turn strengthens friendships and enhances trade and investment opportunities. This is a win-win situation for both countries,” she explained.
To attract more Chinese visitors, Myanmar’s tourism ministry organized a familiarization trip in May, hosting 43 Chinese participants, including tour operators, social influencers, and media professionals, who visited popular tourist destinations across Myanmar.
Addressing the language barrier, Thet Thet Khine revealed that the ministry has introduced Chinese language courses, specifically HSK levels 1 and 2, for its staff. “We also plan to expand these courses to include those working in the broader tourism industry, such as hotel employees,” she added.
The minister stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to revitalize Myanmar’s tourism industry post-pandemic, calling for cooperation with other ministries and the private sector. “Reinforcing our tourism industry is crucial. Tourism promotes cultural exchange, mutual understanding, respect, cooperation, and trade,” she stated.
Moreover, Thet Thet Khine highlighted the broader economic benefits and cooperation that tourism brings, saying, “Through economic collaboration, we can achieve shared prosperity, narrow development gaps, and experience growth and prosperity together.”
“Building a community with a shared future is vital,” she concluded.
Tags: Bagan, Central Myanmar, Central Myanmar tourism news, Mandalay Region, Mandalay Region tourism news, myanmar, Myanmar tourism news, naypyidaw, Naypyidaw tourism news, southeast asia, Southeast Asia Tourism News, Tourism, Tourism news, Travel, Travel News
