Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is expecting 4.5 million tourists this year, which will surpass its previous records of 2.1 million visitors in 2013 and 3.8 million last year. Add to that are some 2.4 million locals who travel within the country at least once every year. In 2016, the number of foreign tourists visiting Myanmar is expected to double to 10 million. Hotels are sprouting up across Myanmar to provide adequate accommodation to the increasing number of tourists. In 2015, total of 340 hotels are operating across the country, compared with 290 hotels in 2014. Starting from now until Thingyan water festival period in April next year, the number of tourists will probably rise up. Tourist arrived through Yangon International Airport 759,181 in the frst nine months of 2015, up 82,174 from 677,007 tourists in the same period last year.
Most tourist arrivals are in Yangon, Mandalay, Inlay and Bagan and the government has established 17 hotel zones in Naypyitaw, Yangon, Mandalay and Bago regions.
Tourism industry players have demanded that there should be more Myanmar consulates in foreign countries as the tourism sector develops. Many countries open consulates for the development of their country’s tourism industry.
