Casino resort taps Yangon market

MYEIK, MYANMAR, 23 August 2012: A casino resort in Myeik archipelago close to Ranong province, Thailand, has introduced a discount package to attract domestic tourists and expatriates living in Yangon to compensate for rising domestic air fares.

Andaman Club Resort in the Myeik Archipelago will introduce two packages this November open to the end of April 2013. All packages feature a two-night stay and transfer from Kawthoung Airport in Tanintharyi region.

One package offers waters sports and the other combines a visit to Thailand’s Ranong province just across the straits from the resort. They are priced at US$230 and US$200.

The first package features accommodation, transfers and a snorkeling tour to Saint Lu Island, which involves a 45-minute cruise from the resort. The second one, a two-country package, features Ranong a hot spring destination in Thailand

Both packages are focusing on domestic travellers resident in Yangon as the resort already attracts Thais who provide up to 80% of all guests mainly attracted by the casino.

The packages are also being sold to foreigners who live in Myanmar, but they have to get a special permit from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism to travel to the Myeik archipelago.

The Thai-owned resort features 205 rooms, a golf club, duty-free shopping and a casino that the management conveniently leaves out of it promotional blurbs. Visitors can take a flight from Yangon to Kawthoung followed by 15-minute drive from the airport to Kawthoung jetty and another 15-minute boat ride to the island.

Currently there are five airlines provide scheduled flights to Kawthoung Airport namely Air Bagan, Air KBZ, Air Mandalay, Asia Wing and Myanmar Airways.

Kawthaung is in the southernmost part of Myanmar, located in Tanintharyi Region. During British rule in Burma between 1824 and 1948, it was known as Victoria Point.

The Andaman Club Resort Hotel located on Thahtay Kyun Island is about half an hour trip by boat from Kawthaung or Ranong. The club is famous for its casino, the only international gambling resort in Myanmar

Sourced: ttrweekly