Myanmar arrivals increase

Visitor arrivals to Myanmar improved by 17.64% during 2009 topping 227,421 arrivals, according to the Myanmar Marketing Committee latest report.

Tourists from Asia peaked at 147,708, an increase from 128,279 in 2008, which represented 64.95% of the inbound market share. West Europe was the second largest supplier with 47,161 arrivals, while there were 16,608 tourists from North America.

Thailand was the top single market with 42,684 arrivals which was up 56.28% from 27,311 in 2008.

Travel from China dropped 23.24% from 30,792 to 23,634 arrivals, making it the second leading supplier.

USA continued as the third source market at 14,398, an increase of 9.11% from 13,195. Japan came in fourth at 13,796 arrivals up from 10,881.

France continued to be the top supplier in Europe at 10,225 arrivals, an increase for 24.43% from 8,217 in 2008.

Myanmar is considered the poor kid on the block in Asean tourism, but stands to benefit from the USAID project that is pumping US$4 million into the Asean marketing campaign ?Southeast Asia: Feel the Warmth.?

Under that project, Myanmar gains the kind of assistance that has been denied it through strict international sanctions, led by the US government.

Sourced = The TTR Weekly