The Union of Myanmar Travel Association (UMTA) said developing market for for- eign independent travellers (FIT) might benefit the country’s tourism, according to a local report. Myanmar’s tourism industry currently focuses on high-end resorts and is being criticized for not having enough facilities for backpackers and independent trav- ellers. Data on tourism sector has not been published officially yet but the report estimates that about 38% of tourists visiting Myanmar in 2013 were backpackers. Starting from 2012, the number of tourists has been increasing and it is estimated that there were three million tourists in 2014. Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has revealed that the country expects to host about five to seven million international arrivals in 2015-2020. The country has been working on free-visa travel for all ASEAN nationals by 2015 and currently Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia are allowed to visit Myanmar without a visa for up to 14 days.
