THE Myanmar Tourism Federation (MTF) last week opened its second overseas representative office in Tokyo, following the launch of the first one in the US earlier this year.
“MTF now has a mutual agreement with the Japanese Public Diplomacy Association (PDA) with an aim to encourage the growth of Japanese travellers to Myanmar,” said Sai Kyaw Ohn, deputy minister at the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism Myanmar.
Phyoe Wai Yar Zar, joint secretary general at MTF and chairman of Myanmar Tourism Marketing, added: “By opening this office in Tokyo, we will promote destination Myanmar through PDA’s services.”
The move to attract more Japanese tourists to Myanmar is derived from MTF’s goal to support sustainable, long-term growth by attracting high-value, low-impact travellers.
“Japanese tourist arrivals are currently at 58,527 with a growth rate of 12 per cent so far this year. This means approximately US$1.8 billion of direct tourism income,” said Sai Kyaw Ohn.
According to MTF figures, international tourist arrivals from January to August this year reached nearly three million, a 50 per cent growth over the same period last year.
