Despite there being a reported oversupply of hotel rooms in Myanmar’s major tourist hubs, hospitality players say there is still room for growth in the mid-tier space, both in the country’s primary and emerging destinations.
Recent years have seen the country’s range of hotels grow from a handful of luxury properties to more diverse offerings catering to the growing tier of international tourists.
According to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, there are 1,648 licensed hotels and guesthouses, offering a total of 66,065 rooms across the country, with a swathe of new developments slated to open in the next two years.
The majority have focused on the luxury market, with a rise in guesthouses and other budget accommodation.
Still, Chu Chee Seng, general manager of Keppel Land Hospitality Management, which owns and manages Sedona Hotel Yangon, said there is still “growing potential” for mid-tier options in Yangon.
Adding more mid-tier options would allow Myanmar to better compete with neighbouring countries and help drive tourism to coastal areas, where currently there are only high-end properties, remarked Su Su Tin, managing director of Exo Travel Myanmar.
Said Su Su Tin: “We definitely need more good quality mid-range hotels, both local and international chains, ranging from between US$50 to US$70 a night. We don’t have much of this, especially at beach destinations.”
Greg Allan, vice-president of operations (ASEAN) for Pan Pacific Hotels Group, which operates Pan Pacific Yangon and Parkroyal Yangon, agreed that more quality budget beds would add value to the country’s emerging destinations, which are “soon-to-be-discovered by tourists”.
Chu remains confident the gap will be filled. He said: “Travellers can expect a growing range of accommodation options, from budget to five-star hotels, hostels and inns. We believe Myanmar’s hotel/accommodation landscape will continue to evolve, catering to more diverse markets.”
