Myanmar is likely to bolster European Union (EU) tourism through Visa-free program

Myanmar was once a closed country to the Western world. Those days are long gone, however, and tourism has become an important part of our local economy. With the goal of attracting more tourists, specifically from some countries belonging to the European Union, it appears that a visa-free program will be instituted this coming October. This information comes to us from U Ohn Maung, the Union Minister of the Ministry of Hotel and TourismDaw Khin Than Win, one of the Director Generals of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism, further disclosed to Myanmar Business Today: “Our department has proposed that we apply a visa-free program for six European countries. We can not disclose the details yet. However, the program would apply to tourists only, not to businessmen.”

We have done some further, independent, research on the matter, however; other sources have informed us that the proposed countries for this visa-free program are Russia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland. The program is intended to enable tourists from these countries visit Myanmar easily, without the hassles of applying for – and then waiting for approval of – a visa.

The Myanmar Government, seeing the opportunities that tourism offers to our local economy, is attempting to make it easier for tourists to travel here. They have implemented a community-based tourism program, and have eased travel restrictions to places such as Mogok – which was previously off-limits to tourists.

Furthermore, the government previously launched a one-year trial visa-free program to Japan, South Korea, Macao, and Hong Kong. This trial program is due to expire this coming September. However it is possible, we now learn, that the trial program may be extended.

“In addition to moving to provide a visa-free program to some European countries,” Daw Khin Than Win added, “we have asked for approval from the union cabinet to continue the visa-free program for the counties with whom we already have signed agreements regarding arrival visas and the visa-free program.”

Our readers will recall that the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population had already provided “arrival visas” to those entering from 54 different countries. However, only tourists entering Myanmar through airports are eligible for these. Those who enter the country over land at the border crossing points, and those who enter from sea routes, are ineligible for the benefits of arrival visas.

After opening its borders to the world, Myanmar received some 4.6 million tourists in 2015. This figure dropped to 1.9 million in 2016 due to conflicts within the country, particularly in the western regions. However, the figures did recover somewhat to 3.44 million in 2017, and then to 3.55 million in 2018.

On the other hand, these figures are well below the number of tourists that neighboring countries, such as Thailand, receive annually. That nation welcomes an average of about 38 million tourists annually – slightly more than ten times the annual figures for Myanmar in 2017 or 2018.

Hopefully pro-active steps will help to encourage tourism to this country moving forward. An increase in tourism will certainly bring a great deal of currency into Myanmar, and many jobs will be created through the hospitality industry as a result. Such an improvement in tourism numbers would not only leave many tourists happy as they explore the wonders of Myanmar, but would also help improve development of the country.

(Myanmar Business Today: https://www.mmbiztoday.com/articles/likely-move-bolster-eu-tourism-through-visa-free-program )

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