Myanmar’s shortfall in rooms closes

YANGON Ministry of Hotels and Tourism reports the number of hotels and guest houses, nationwide, reached 1,371 hotels with 53,716 rooms as of the end of August this year.

The ministry’s data confirms that more hotels and guesthouses are now opening to meet the shortage in rooms that prompted rates to raise substantially in the past.

Global New Light of Myanmar said the ministry erased some restrictions on issuing licenses for hotel investors across the nation that will ultimately make it easier for them to invest and open properties.

In related news, the ministry also granted 2,263 licences to tour operators, over 1,500 to transport companies and over 6,000 to tour guides by the end of last month.

The tourism ministry is also upgrading the tour guide licence, which now can be used, nationwide, for those with over three years of experience in the tourism industry. Before it was more difficult to guide beyond the specific region where the licence was granted.

Tourist guides who have more than three years experience and pass an exam will be listed by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and be issued licences, valid nationwide.

The country welcomed 4.6 million foreign visitors, last year, an increase of 52% compared with 2014. The ministry estimates tourist arrivals will reach 5.5 million this year.

The ministry estimates tourist arrivals are likely to reach 7.5 million by 2019.