Union Minister of Hotels and Tourism called for community-based tourism development in Shan State

Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism and Chairman of the Tourism Committee, U Ohn Maung, attended meeting (2/2019) of the Shan State Border Area Tourism Committee (SSBATC) held at the State cabinet office on 15 June.
The Union Minister first delivered a speech where he said his ministry has set the Look-East policy and Look-West policy to attract foreign tourists. He said they have coordinated with related ministries to relax some visa restrictions.
He said the ministry has set up a digital marketing taskforce and is increasing its cyber activities, adding that he wants the states and regions to follow suit.
The Union Minister said they have invited GTMH Telecom company to explain technical assistance for developing the tourism sector in Nyaungshwe.
He said there is a need to supervise hotels and tourism businesses in Shan State so that they may operate in accordance with the law.
The Union Minister said it is necessary to develop community based tourism in the state as well. He said they are working towards implementing a star rating system to ensure hotels are up to standard. He said they are hiring domestic and international experts for this task.
Next, SSBATC Vice-Chairman, Shan State Minister for Planning and Finance, U Soe Nyunt Lwin reported the ongoing tasks for sustainable development of Shan State’s tourism sector.
After the meeting, the Union Minister a meeting with hoteliers and related associations held at the State General Administration Department in Nyaungshwe.
During the meeting, the Union Minister said his ministry is transitioning tourism development tasks over to the online system. He urged local hotels to make extensive use of the Online Guest List Management System.
The Union Minister called for the need to implement community based tourism in remote areas far from hotels via the PPP model. He urged everyone to exercise careful consideration as the tourism sector is heavily service-oriented.
Next, Dr. Tun Hlaing, Intha Ethnic Affairs Minister, reported the necessary tasks for local organizations and the public to cooperate on to ensure sustainable tourism development.
Afterwards, U Myat Ko Ko Sein of GTMH Telecom explained on the technical assistance to be provided for developing tourism in Nyaungshwe. This was followed by the Hluttaw representatives, departmental officials, businesspersons and associations raising questions to which the Union Minister and officials provided clarifications. —MNA

(The Global New Light of Myanmar: http://www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com/union-minister-for-hotel-and-tourism-calls-for-community-based-tourism-development-in-shan-state/ )

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