THE Mergui Archipelago could become Myanmar’s next major frontier for tourism development should the government approve a local company’s development proposal.
Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily, Kyaw Myo Paing, manager of Myeik Public Corporation, said: “We are targeting four islands, namely, either Koonthee island or Kabuzar island, Ashae Sunar island, La Ngang island and Tanintharyi island. Each island will include a bungalow-type hotel, guesthouses, shops, a theme park, golf course, swimming pool and boat services. The project is scheduled (for construction) within the financial years of 2014 to 2018.”
The Mergui Archipelago is a constellation of over 800 islands in the Andaman Sea in south Myanmar. The proposal was submitted to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism last August and is awaiting approval from relevant ministries.
He added that Myeik has not decided whether to open the project to foreign or local investors.
The company hopes the development will become a source of employment for locals and attract more tourists to the region, remarked Kyaw Myo Paing.
Ko Aye Min Oo, managing director of Tourism Myanmar Co-operative, which runs trips to the archipelago, welcomed the news as “Mergui is unique and untouched by many tourists”.
“I heard several (other) investors, including local and foreign, are looking into the areas to develop island resorts. But my main concern is the developers should understand the value of nature even as they earn money from it, and also should support the people living in the region,” he opined.
