NAY PYI TAW, MYANMAR – The Government of Myanmar, alongside the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Norway, today unveiled a Tourism Master Plan which outlines 38 development projects valued at nearly a half billion dollars that will help increase Myanmar?s tourism competitiveness, protect environmentally important areas, and safeguard ethnic communities.
?This master plan outlines a path to welcoming more visitors to Myanmar without threatening our unique cultural heritage or endangering pristine environments,? said U Htay Aung, Myanmar?s Minister for Hotels and Tourism.
If Myanmar continues implementing economic, political, and social reforms, international visitor arrivals are forecast to rise as high as 7.5 million in 2020 ? a seven-fold increase from current numbers ? with corresponding tourism receipts worth $10.1 billion. Under a high growth scenario, the tourism industry could provide up to 1.4 million jobs by 2020.
?Tourism will be a pillar of Myanmar?s economy, and it has the potential to create meaningful job opportunities for the country?s people, including those living in poor communities,? said ADB Vice President Stephen Groff. ?This plan is a long-term vision, and a solid start to ensuring tourism contributes to equitable social and economic development in Myanmar.?
The master plan, funded by the Government of Norway, recommends building tourism-related human resources by strengthening the tourism education and training system, and identifies $44.5 million in new opportunities and partnerships aimed at training tourism workers.
?The Myanmar Tourism Master Plan provides a leading tool for the Government of Myanmar to develop the sector in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner. The implementation of the plan will demand strong government leadership and coordination among a wide range of government agencies and state and regional governments,? said the Norwegian ambassador to Myanmar, Katja Nordgaard.
Projects focus on expanding international air arrivals in Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw, undertaking improvements to the Bagan river pier to support more cruises, and building feeder roads in destinations like Ngapali beach and Inle Lake.
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Source: Unknown (2013). Myanmar Unveils $500 Million Tourism Plan, ADB?http://www.adb.org/news/myanmar-unveils-500-million-tourism-plan?ref=countries/myanmar/news published Jun 05, 2013. Viewed Jun 06, 2013.