From now on, Myanmar needs to prepare resumption of destinations for homegrown tourists depending on control of COVID-19 infection: Vice-Senior General

MYANMAR should strive for resumption of the tourism industry with double and triple efforts more than other countries, said Chairman of the Central Committee on Development of National Tourism Industry Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win at the ceremony to mark World Tourism Day-2021 held at the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism in Nay Pyi Taw through videoconferencing yesterday morning.

First, the video clip on the message sent by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was presented. (The address delivered by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is reported separately. See on page-5.)

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Senior General said only when the country controls the infection of COVID-19, will it implement all businesses including the tourism industry as quickly as possible. Global countries are striving for the resumption of tourism services at a time when the pandemic can be placed under control.

Myanmar should strive for resumption of the tourism industry with double and triple efforts more than other countries. In so doing, the government, private entrepreneurs and local people should harmoniously participate in the operation of all sectors for the soonest resumption of the tourism machinery. As the World Tourism Organization gave guidelines for initiating domestic tourism in order to attract foreign tourists, from now on, Myanmar needs to prepare resumption of destinations for homegrown tourists depending on control of COVID-19 infection.

It is necessary to negotiate the resumption of inbound tourism among the neighbouring countries, ASEAN countries and the countries interested in Myanmar’s tourism industry for taking measures on entry visa, vaccinated evidence and international standards depending on the operation of international flights and opening of international gates.

The Vice-Senior General stressed the need for widely operating the marketing, promotion and public relations for international tourists to know that Myanmar’s destinations would be COVID safe destinations. The Vice-Senior General noted that the short, medium and long term strategies and procedures involved in the Myanmar Tourism Strategic Recovery Roadmap-MTSRR 2021-2025 drawn by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism must be implemented as much as possible depending on current situations.

Then, a video clip on the message of Secretary-General Mr Zurab Pololikashvili of the UN World Tourism Organization was presented. Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism Dr Htay Aung and President of the Myanmar Tourism Federation U Yan Win made speeches. Next, significant sites in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, regions and states were introduced through a 360-degree virtual reality tour. Later, the meeting staged the roundtable discussion on tourism for inclusive growth: rebuilding resilient tourism in Myanmar.—MNA