State Administration Council Vice Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win addresses meeting 2/2022 of Central Committee on National Tourism Development
NAY PYI TAW December 6
Central Committee on National Tourism Development held meeting 2/2022 at the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism here this afternoon, addressed by Chairmanb of the central committee Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.
Also present were Union ministers, Nay Pyi Taw Council member, directors general, tourism experts and officials.
Chief ministers of regions and states and officials of relevant organizations took part in the meeting through video conferencing.
The Vice-Senior General said countries that were developing due to tourism faced with immense economic losses because of COVID-19 pandemic. Now those countries are trying to restore their tourism industry as infection rate is dropping. In Myanmar the infection has fallen below 1 percent after a 20-day continuous drop. Hence, concerted efforts must be made for rapid progress of tourism industry in accord with the latest COVID-19 preventive rules issued by the Ministry of Health.
Tourism is one of the pivotal pillars of global economy, and one in every occupation is related to the industry. It has created over 320 jobs worldwide and has contributed 10 percent to the global GDP. It is also the major supporter of MSMEs, according to World Tourism Federation.
Over 200 countries including Myanmar has resumed their tourism industry. The number of global tourists reached nearly 700 million during the period from January to September 2022, which is 133 percent higher than that of the same period last year. Moreover, the number of visitors reached 65 percent of the pre-COVID-19 period in 2019, according to the federation.
MSMEs that have relations with tourism are the main driving force of local economy. They are also the main supporters of the country’s socio-economic development. So, cooperative efforts are required to develop MSMEs through tourism industry.
MSMEs should produce high quality souvenirs for tourism development. Regions and states should organize entrepreneurs with technological aids, expertise, workshops, exhibitions, competitions. Majority of MSMEs are facing challenges in connection with capital, technology, infrastructure, skilled workers and markets. In order to develop them and to help them overcome those challenges, region and state governments, technicians, hoteliers and tourism entrepreneurs should provide necessary assistance.
As the economy of the country is aimed at people-centred, inclusive and sustainable development, it is necessary to convince local residents to participate and cooperate by giving advice to authorities in implementation of tours so that they can enjoy the benefits of tourism.
Moreover, it is important for all to cooperate for sustainable development of the tour industry and protection of the climate and natural environment while it is essential to accelerate the tasks for barrier-free tourism, which enable people of all walks of life to travel.
As Myanmar is an agro-based country, it is vital to develop new ideas and techniques for agri-based tourism, farmingbased tourism and geo-tourism related to the Mount Popa, which can be studied more comprehensively along with agriculture.
Neighbouring towns and villages which have potential for tourism must be implemented into tour destinations.
In implementing the systematic development of the tourism industry of Myanmar, all relevant ministries are required to cooperate for facilitation of their arrivals and returns, accommodation and food from the beginning to the end. Only then, will tourist arrivals increase and the tourism industry will be able to contribute to the social economic development of local residents. Therefore, efforts must be made for the development of domestic and inbound tourism.
The tourism industry has recovered since this dry season and tourism markets must be developed aiming mainly at friendly countries that are in good relations with Myanmar and neighbouring countries.
Unique tourism products and services must be made known to the international tourism community via the digital platform. It is necessary to inform and attract foreign tourists comprehensively through the Myanmar embassies in relevant countries.
Facilitation and safety of tours by promoting domestic and foreign tourists through invitation play an important role. It is especially necessary to take measures to develop different types of tourism, which can create multiple benefits, to make progress for the Myanmar tourism industry in the international market, to promote tourism products through innovation and to accelerate the recovery of tourism markets.
To do so, it is important for central committee members, relevant ministries, responsible officials from states and regions, the Myanmar Tourism Federation and the partner associations.
In making efforts for the resurgence of Myanmar tourism and to promote the image of the country through tourism, all members of the tourism development central committee are urged to cooperate and all representative participants are required to give suggestions frankly.
Then, Central Committee Vice Chairman Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism Dr Htay Aung reported on tourism related activities.
Afterwards, the joint secretary of the central committee director general of the Directorate of Tourism reported on implementation of the decisions of the central committee meeting (1/2022) and the restructuring of the tourism working committee and state and regional committees and sought the approval of the central committee.
Then, members of the central committee union ministers, chief ministers of states and regions, private tourism organizations and tourism experts and officials reported on relevant sectors.
Afterwards, the Vice-Senior General coordinated the reports submitted and the meeting concluded with remarks by the Vice-Senior General.