Kawthoung becomes a tourist hotspot following the gradual development of its marine tourism

Kawthoung, a town in the Taninthayi Region of southernmost Myanmar, has become a tourist hotspot following the gradual development of its marine tourism.
Local and foreign visitors are flocking to the town in large numbers during the summer holidays, said a local tour operator.
Kawthoung is an important trading point bordering the Thai border town of Ranong to the east. Most of the terrain in the area is mountainous. Thanks to the state’s new economic policy, investors are eyeing the coastal town with interest, as it has numerous beautiful natural islands for tourism development projects, resulting in an increase in the number of recreation facilities such as resorts and hotels.
The town is expected to flourish in the current economic climate as the town’s smokeless industry ramps up investments.
Tour operators said the arrival of visitors at home and abroad is increasing each month. Most visitors come to the area for eco-tourism, such as fishing, diving, snorkelling on coral reefs and bird-watching, they added.
In anticipation of developing the country’s smokeless industry, community-based tourism projects have been implemented in Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Shan and Chin states, as well as in the Yangon, Mandalay and Magway regions, according to the Hotels and Tourism Ministry.
The ministry is currently promoting cross-border trips as a popular trend, said an official.

(Global New Light of Myanmar: http://www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com/tourists-flock-kawthoung-summer-holidays/ )

​