Tourism in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is a developing sector. As of 2023, new tourist visa applications have resumed. Although Myanmar possesses tourist potential, much of the industry remains to be developed. The number of visitors to Burma is small compared to its neighbouring countries. This is primarily due to its political situation. However, after the junta transferred power to the civilian government, the tourism sector saw an increase in tourist arrivals, and in 2012, tourist arrivals surpassed the one million mark for the first time. In 2013, the Tourism Master Plan was created, targeting 7.5 million arrivals by 2020.

Tourism has been developed mainly by Myanmar's government, which has encouraged tourism since 1992. Private enterprises also exist, catering to a wide range of tourists.

In 2010, 791,505 foreign tourists visited Myanmar, with 295,174 foreign tourists entering the country via Yangon International Airport. By 2012, more than 1 million foreign tourists visited Myanmar. In 2013, the number of foreign arrivals reached more than 2.04 million, counting both air and overland arrivals.

Tourism has been promoted by advocacy groups as a method of providing economic benefit to Burmese civilians, and to avoid isolating the country from the rest of the world. Voices for Burma, a pro-democracy advocate group, states, "We believe that small-scale, responsible tourism can create more benefits than harm. So long as tourists are fully aware of the situation and take steps to maximise their positive impact and minimise the negatives, we feel their visit can be beneficial overall. Responsible tourists can help Burma primarily by bringing money to local communities and small businesses, and by raising awareness of the situation worldwide."Voices For Burma's tourism policy http://www.voicesforburma.org/

A former Burmese tourism minister estimated that 12% of the government revenues are derived from tourism, with the tourism industry contributing US$182 million (2007) to the government's annual budget.

In March 2020, Myanmar closed its borders to international tourists as a measure to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, following the 2021 coup, the country became increasingly isolated. Large-scale protests and escalating acts of violence have inflicted significant damage upon Myanmar's economy, including the tourism sector, which has been pushed into a state of decline.

The country reopened to international flights on April 17, 2022, given the decrease in infection cases and the reopening of neighboring countries. In a statement issued by the committee, the decision to reopen aims to boost the tourism sector and provide favorable conditions for visitors to come and explore Myanmar.

Statistics In the 2010–2011 fiscal year, tourists comprised 73.84% (313,127 arrivals) of overseas visitors, primarily entering the country by air, representing 69.26% of arrivals, followed by land and sea, which represented 29.97% and 0.77% of arrivals respectively. An additional 110,914 visitors arrived through other visa types and represented an additional 26.16% of the total. In 2012, revenues from tourism jumped to over $534 million in 2012, up from $315 million in 2011.

Recent data reveals that in 2016, Myanmar welcomed only 2.9 million tourists, marking a 38% decrease compared to the previous year (4.7 million visitors in 2015). According to Rogers, the rosy projections about tourism potential led to significant investments in hotel construction. Data from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism indicates that within a span of five years (up until 2015), 1,300 hotels were built in Myanmar, with foreign businesses collectively investing $2.7 billion in hotel ventures.

General trends International tourist arrivals to Yangon Entry Point, Mandalay & Bagan Gateways, Nay Pyi Taw Gateway and Border Tourism.

Year Tourist arrivals % Change20241,063,07217%20231,284,731450% 2022 233,487 78% 2021 130,947 86% 2020 903,343 79% 2019 4,364,101 23% 2018 3,551,428 3% 2017 3,443,133 18% 2016 2,907,207 38% 2015 4,681,020 52% 2014 3,081,412 51% 2013 2,044,307 93% 2012 1,058,995 30% 2011 816,369 3% 2010 791,505 4% 2009 762,547 4% 2008 731,230 2%

Tourists by nationality The governmental statistics body, the Central Statistical Organization, reported more than 3,000,000 travellers flocked to Myanmar in 2014, compared with approximately 816,000 visitors in 2011. Among these, 1,022,081 tourist arrivals (excluding visitors under special entry visas such as social or business visas) were via Yangon International Airport.

Most visitors arriving to Myanmar on short-term basis were from the following countries of nationality:

Country 2024202220212020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 99,85222,798110,4688.241 749,719 333,085 212,642 183,886 147,977 125,609 90,550 70,805 62,018 42,10513,19258,9311,150 273,157 291,231 273,889 243,443 204,539 198,229 139,770 94,342 61,696 19,3556,60526,1001,171 125,706 104,376 101,484100,084 90,312 83,434 68,671 47,690 21,321 23,2136,85419,3631,080 111,794 72,852 65,829 64,397 63,715 58,472 54,934 34,805 22,524 9,377 3,05215,030614 66,757 65,057 73,08576,502 69,015 62,631 53,653 37,589 21,680 7,381 3,2928,762217 57,890 58,657 61,859 50,198 45,125 47,692 39,140 26,296 15,391 9,385 3,6699,825182 52,567 53,329 58,919 48,869 6,1353,8928.497981 44,703 47,632 47,01043,931 40,852 46,534 39,758 30,499 23,287 15,334 8,06911,5141,454 48,400 43,281 41,62338,537 34,638 32,306 21,042 16,868 12,318 1,96589815,520360 42,508 43,21858,369 52,304 47,235 41,453 35,462 30,064 19,414 4,0191,5759,317300 33,857 36,609 47,71751,051 45,120 40,921 33,203 24,296 11,056 1,266 5499,05283 29,447 28,838 39,952 39,044 35,727 32,265 27,712 23,063 14,0063,893 2,549 1,0785,952195 25,867 27,962 32,628 34,010 30,820 29,175 11,728 18,261 10,415 8784015,79477 19,121 16,855 18,242 17,969 14,821 12,613 11,728 10,830 9,710 3,1411,1453,311233 17,398 16,748 18,14316,421 7762282,18252 13,589 11,315 13,558 12,765 1,2064372,73577 11,050 11,065 14,068 15,024 14,051 12,268 8,975 6,485 3,685 5823232,87793 9,257 10,01913,558 13,694 13,897 1,0024372,64877 9,500 9,428 13,950 1,7663474,39342 32,005 7,183 8,4453,4277,306186 39,374 35,685 303145465

Tourist attractions

The most popular available tourist destinations in Myanmar include big cities such as Yangon and Mandalay; religious sites in Mon State, Pindaya, Bago and Hpa-An; nature trails in Inle Lake, Kalaw, Kengtung, Putao, Pyin Oo Lwin, also known as Maymyo; ancient cities such as Bagan and Mrauk-U; as well as beaches in Nabule, Ngapali, Maungmagan Ngwe-Saung, Mergui.

Kachin State Myitkyina Putao Bamho Hugaung Plain

Yangon Yangon Shwedagon Pagoda

Mandalay Mandalay Bagan Ava Amarapura Pyin U Lwin Mount Popa

Mon State Kyaiktiyo Pagoda Mudon (the world's largest reclining Buddha) Mawlamyine Thanbyuzayat (WWII Death Railway)

Rakhine State Mrauk U Ngapali Beach

Shan State Inle Lake Taunggyi Kalaw Pindaya

Other beaches Chaungtha Ngwesaung

Ecotourism Myeik Archipelago Hukawng Valley Hkakabo Razi Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park Popa Mountain National Park Mount Victoria National Park

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Myanmar Site Image Location Criteria Areaha (acre) Year Description Refs Pyu city-states Cultural:(ii), (iii), (iv) 5,809 ha (proper); 6,790 ha (buffer zone)2014 The site includes three of the six main Pyu city-states, namely Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra. Bagan Mandalay Region Cultural2018 The site includes all of the monuments throughout the ancient capital of the Pagan kingdom.

Tentative list to be added Site Image Location Proposed criteria Year Listed as Tentative Site Description Refs Wooden Monasteries of Konbaung Period: Ohn Don, Sala, Pakhangyi, Pakhannge, Legaing, Sagu, Shwe-Kyaung (Mandalay) Multiple locations Cultural1996 The site includes seven wooden monasteries, nameyly, Ohn Don, Sala, Pakhangyi, Pakhannge, Legaing, Sagu, and Shwe-Kyaung (Mandalay). Badah-lin and associated caves Shan State Cultural1996 The site includes various caves used as workshop and rock painting sites in the Paleolithic to Neolithic periods. Ancient cities of Upper Myanmar: Innwa, Amarapura, Sagaing, Mingun, Mandalay Multiple locations Cultural1996 The site includes the historic cities of Innwa, Amarapura, Sagaing, Mingun, Mandalay Myauk-U Archaeological Area and Monuments Rakhine State Cultural1996 The site includes all monuments built by the Arakanese kingdom's capital between the 15th to 16th centuries. Inle Lake Shan State Cultural1996 The site includes the mountain lake and its preserved cultural landscape. Mon cities: Bago, Hanthawaddy Bago Region Cultural1996 The site includes all monuments in Bago, formerly called Hanthawaddy. Ayeyawady River Corridor Multiple locations Natural2014 The site includes three main segments, namely Mingun to Kyauk Maung segment, Moda Section,Takaung to Shwegu segment, and Shwegu to Bhamo segment. Hkakabo Razi Landscape Kachin State Natural2014 The site includes Hkakabo Razi National Park and Hponkan Razi Wildlife Sanctuary, along with a proposed Southern Extension of Hkakabo Razi National Park. Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary Kachin State Natural2014 The site includes the entire Indawgyi lake. Natma Taung National Park Chin State Natural2014 The site includes Nat Ma Taung, the highest point in Chin State. Myeik Archipelago Tanintharyi Region Natural2014 The site includes more than 800 islands of primarily limestone and granite. The archipelago is home to the Moken people. Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary Kachin State Natural2014 The site is highly significant in the conservation of Indochinese tigers. Taninthayi Forest Corridor Taninthayi Region Natural2014 The site is an important mixed deciduous forest with bamboo clumps as well as grassland and is a thriving site for the endangered Gurney's pitta.

History & Politics Under British rule, Burma (as it was then called) attracted few foreign tourists. This situation persisted post-independence. After the 1962 Burmese coup d'état, Ne Win restricted tourist visas to 24 hours to minimise the numbers of foreigners entering the country. This was extended to 72 hours in 1969, 7 days in 1971 and, after the 8888 uprising, to 14 days. This was further extended to 4 weeks in 1992, although the government, by now calling itself the SLORC, still feared the impact tourists could have on their repressive regime.

In 1996, during Visit Myanmar Year, Aung San Suu Kyi called for a boycott of travelling to Myanmar in an attempt to limit the money received by the ruling military junta.

In May 2011, Aung San Suu Kyi and her party National League for Democracy expressed the opinion that responsible tourism to Burma should be encouraged. Other pro-democracy activists, such as Ma Thanegi, advocated small scale tourism, and careful spending. Tourists are welcome to Burma provided they are "keen to promote the welfare of the common people and the conservation of the environment and to acquire an insight into the cultural, political and social life of the country while enjoying a happy and fulfilling holiday in Burma." In their official statement they request not only the development of the people's livelihood but also the promotion of "self respect and self-reliance in the people."

See also Visa policy of Myanmar List of museums in Myanmar Community Based Tourism in Myanmar

References

External links

Ministry of Hotels and Tourism

Myanmar/Burma at Lonely Planet