To raise its own visitor numbers, Myanmar is working with operators and organisations in neighbouring countries on improving cross-border tourism in the region.
One of its efforts is the development of caravan tours that run from India via Myanmar and Thailand to Singapore, revealed Khin San Aye, executive committee member of the Union of Myanmar Travel Association.
The association hopes to promote through these tours “community-based tourism”, or travel and overnight stays at local villages near major attractions such as Bagan and Mandalay, said Khin.
The caravan tours will be organised by an Australian company based in India and developed with the Travel Agents Association of India. The parties are “still negotiating”.
The government is throwing strong support behind this initiative by improving access to villages, stepping up destination marketing, and increasing dialogue between inbound companies.
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has also been organising study trips to other countries such as Japan that are established in this area.
