AS tourist arrivals hit a record high in 2011, the number of Myanmar heading overseas continued to grow, Yangon-based companies specialising in outbound tours said.
“The outbound tourism market is really booming, said U Hein Thant, sales and reservation manager from Sun Far Travel and Tours in Yangon.
He said about half of outbound travellers headed to destinations in Southeast Asia.
“Thailand is the top destination, whether it’s for shopping, medical treatment or leisure. [Myanmar] love to visit Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. After Thailand, the next most popular destinations are Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia,” U Hein Thant said.
However, growth is inhibited by the tight visa restrictions most countries place on travellers from Myanmar and the lack of direct air links to all ASEAN countries.
One significant push factor has been the strong kyat, which appreciated more than 30 percent against the US dollar in 2011 and also rose strongly against regional currencies.
U Lynn Zaw Wai Mang, executive director of Unique Asia Travels and Tours, said the market was growing “quite fast” as a result.
“Demand is growing up to 35pc a year. Last year demand was very high because of the exchange rate, which made travel inside Myanmar almost as expensive as going abroad. People are also starting to think more about going abroad for knowledge, experience and business,” he said.
One issue for agencies specialising in outbound tours is the lack of Ministry of Hotels and Tourism support.
Outbound agencies are not eligible to register with the ministry and outbound tourism is rarely promoted.
“The outbound market is really booming compared to the past a few years,” said U Htun Lwe, managing director of Golden Image Travel and Tours in Sanchaung township.
“There are many outbound travel agents and there is strong competition between them,” he said.
“If the ministry grants licences it will improve the sector and make it easier for customers to choose a reliable agent.”
