BusinessTravel Guide
Myanmar
www.asiaoutlookmag.com
A New Era
M Y A N M A R
MYANMAR Myanmar is investing in building a new name for itself, building upon its vibrant history to create an empire for tourism Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Joe Palliser
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yanmar perfectly pays homage to the extraordinary history of its lands, scattered with reminders of Asia’s traditions. A trip here will be like no other business trip you have been on, with surprises that will please even the most jaded of travellers. The past few years have seen times of great change in Myanmar, beginning in 2015 with the first democratically elected government seen by the country in more than 50 years. This change brought about great moves for business and investment, as well as improved travel availabilities, mobile phone coverage and internet access. With the aforementioned improvements to infrastructure within the country, Myanmar is becoming a far more
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appealing entity for business. The changes to the pace of living in Myanmar haven’t been completely overwhelming, avoiding the destruction of its character and charm. You’ll encounter locals who are gentle, humorous and passionate about their home, showing all that the country has to offer. Currently the country is going through exciting changes in order to cement its reputation as one of the top tourist and business tourism destinations in Asia. Myanmar Tourism Marketing is making inroads in the development of the country’s publicity when it comes to attracting a new wave of tourists; adopting methods such as working with airlines and influencers in other countries to broaden its reach and attract new markets, including business travellers.
ASIA FACTS & FIGURES
Capital: Languages: Area: Population (2017): GDP (2017): Currency: Time zone: Dialling code: Internet TLD:
Naypyidaw Burmese 676,578 km2 53,582,855 $334,856 billion Kyat UTC+6.5 +95 .mm
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The Business End
A L T H O U G H T H E C O U N T R Y is experiencing a rebirth when it comes to industry and tourism, it is still one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia after decades of mismanagement and isolation. In Myanmar, many years of political and economic struggles have massively affected the standards of living for residents. It has been a huge factor in the development of the country to improve the living conditions, as well as social and economic standards within the country.
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Infrastructure developments are intertwining with age-old traditions and culture
Since around 1992 the local Government has encouraged the growth of tourism in Myanmar and more recently business tourism. The most popular regions for tourism are
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Yangon and Mandalay, with an array of religious sites among the more modern business complexes. In recent years, both China and India have attempted to strengthen the ties it has with Myanmar’s Government for economic benefits. The biggest economic changes have been seen in the aforementioned large cities and towns, making Myanmar a place that is very much in the process of big and exciting changes.
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Out & About W H E N I T C O M E S to getting into the country, airlines such as Bangkok Airways provide an excellent service to Mandalay, Naypyidaw and Yangon. The country is the perfect spot for both business and pleasure, especially when travelling to the major cities where everything is within easy
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walking distance from your hotel. The Summit Parkview Yangon Hotel provides the perfect base, where warm hospitality awaits you after a long journey. Situated in the perfect position for exploration of Yangon, the hotel sits in the heart of the city and provides top-class services and facilities to its guests. Depending on how you like to spend your downtime, there are a plethora of options available to you to get a real feel for the country. If you find yourself with a full day to spare, Balloons Over Bagan is an experience not to be missed, providing you with breathtaking views of the region. When it comes to finding some
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Shan Yoe Yar restaurant
top-spots to eat, Myanmar provides an exceptional array for every taste and price range. If you are in the mood for fine dining then Shan Yoe Yar restaurant is not to be missed, alternatively for a slightly more relaxed feel, Shwe Sa Bwe is the perfect place to spend a quiet evening.
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Myanmar Tourism Marketing MYANMAR TOURISM MARKETING (MTM) began operations 20 years ago, originally known as the Myanmar Marketing Committee. It was set up by a select group of tourism entrepreneurs, aiming to promote Myanmar as the new tourist destination of choice. May Myat Mon Win, Chairperson at Myanmar Tourism Marketing, explains how the non-profit organisation is moving forward with the ever-changing needs of the tourism industry.
a sustainable growth of tourism in Myanmar. Overall, the message we would like to send out to the world is that Myanmar is magical 365 days of the year, safe, secure and with warm friendly people.
AsO: To this end, how would you say Myanmar has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal? MMMW: In recent years MTM has Asia Outlook (AsO): Since seen a growth in trade shows and we inception, how has Myanmar started familiarisation trips together Tourism Marketing developed and with international airlines, for example progressed in terms of its key Emirates Airlines who we cooperated objectives and the messages it tries to with to bring a group of Cambodian get across? outbound travel agents and to bring May Myat Mon Win (MMMW): MTM UK and German travel agents. has grown over the years and started Myanmar Tourism Marketing hopes with organising familiarisation trips, to work together with more airlines while ensuring tourism companies from to bring travel writers, journalists, Myanmar have a presence at major bloggers, ‘Instagrammers’ and other travel trade fairs around the world. influencers to the country to show the In addition, MTM has started a broad best of the country. social media platform and is actively in contact with travel writers from around AsO: Taking a more general to world with the aim to promote industry stance, how would you
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evaluate the tourism sector in Myanmar now compared to its condition when MTM began? MMMW: The tourism sector in Myanmar has come a long way since the “Visit Myanmar Year” in 1996. At that time the country was really attractive for the innovators, the people that were first to visit a new destination. Around 2011 the country became more positively in the picture with an elected government and that was the start of the “early adapters” coming to visit Myanmar. During the past few years the country’s infrastructure has improved tremendously and some of the improvements noticeable for tourists are fast and cheap mobile intern network throughout the country, brand new airports, many new hotels, better quality cars and roads etc. Myanmar is now ready to welcome the “early majority” of visitors to the country. AsO: What is in store for Myanmar over the course of 2017 and beyond to continue the good work already commenced and to enhance its
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etc have adapted to modern travel facilities while the country’s sights and people continue to offer a magical atmosphere all year round.
reputation as a tourism and business travel hub further in the future? MMMW: The rest of 2017 and the beginning of 2018 will see more hotel openings in Yangon like the Pan Pacific, the Kempinksi, Excelsior and the Pullman hotel in the city centre. Together with the recently opened Lotte hotel this means there is more choice than ever for tourists and business travellers visiting Yangon and prices are very competitive for visitors compared to other Asian cities and compared to prices a few years back when there was a shortage of rooms. New hotel openings are also planned for Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake, Ngapali Beach, Hpa-an and the rest of the country and all repeat visitors to Myanmar will be pleasantly surprised seeing that accommodation, airports
AsO: Finally, looking forward, if we were to speak again in three-five year’s time, what progress and development would you hope and expect to be able to report back, both in regards to MTM as an entity, and in regards to the business travel industry in Myanmar as a whole? MMMW: Myanmar Tourism Marketing hopes to achieve a growth in yearly number of tourists from around the world especially during the green season (May – September) as this is
actually one of the best periods to visit places like Mandalay, Bagan, Kalaw and Inle Lake as it’s green and cooler. We hope to receive additional budgets to focus more on a younger target group and explain these people that Myanmar is not only about visiting temples but has a lot more to offer for young people as well. The Myanmar food has a huge variation of dishes with influences from more than 135 tribes and therefore the destination is excellent for foodies, there are many biking and trekking possibilities and festivals like the traditional Myanmar water festival are good fun as its basically one big water gun fight for adults and kids alike.
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Outlook recommends "During the past few years the country's infrastructure has improved tremendously." - Myanmar Tourism Marketing
HOSPITALITY
FOOD & DRINK
Summit Parkview Yangon Hotel
Shan Yoe Yar Restaurant
TRANSPORT
Shwe Sa Bwe Le Planteur Restaurant & Lounge ACTIVITIES
Bangkok Airways Bangkok Airways was established in 1968, initially named Sahakol Air and the first private aviation Company located in Thailand. Air transportation has become increasingly important with the rapid growth of tourism and the Company is matching that need with increased capabilities.
Go-Myanmar.com
Melia Hotel Yangon Silk Road to Asia Silk Road to Asia Travels & Tours Co., Ltd offers an array of tour packages, with an exceptional reputation for quality and customer care. The Company’s slogan is to ‘Make your dream trip happen with Silk Road to Asia’, achieved through readymade tour programmes and services and a passion for exceeding client expectations.
Lotte Hotels & Restaurants Yangon 10
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TEMPLES
Balloons Over Bagan
Shwedagon Paya
Morning Cycling Tour in Mandalay
Dhammayangyi Pahto
Ananda Pahto
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Summit Parkview, the first international hotel in Yangon, is located in the up market vicinity of Embassies, Shopping Centers, Food Outlets, National Museum and facing the lush, green People’s Park. It is near the Tatmadaw Exhibition Hall and the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda. It is a 10 minutes drive to Downtown and 30 minutes to and from Yangon International Airport. Summit Parkview Hotel occupies an accessible location that offers great convenience to guests and welcomes you with its quaint Myanmar architecture frontage, sets within a manicured garden.
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Living in Summit, indulge yourself Facilities / Services * Restaurant & Bar * Business Center * Gymnasium * Ballroom & meeting rooms * Shops & Clinic * In-room safe box
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350 Ahlone Road, Dagon Township, Yangon, Myanmar. | T: (95-1) 211 888, 211 966 | E: reservation@summityangon.com |
Concierge & Transportation Services ATM & Foreign Currencies Exchange Service Complimentary Wi-Fi Access Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services 24 hours in-room dining 24 hours Security & CCTV surveillance | www.summityangon.com
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Landmark Attractions Shwedagon Paya
“One of Buddhism's most sacred sites, the 325ft zedi (stupa) here is adorned with 27 metric tons of gold leaf, along with thousands of diamonds and other gems, and is believed to enshrine eight hairs of the Gautama Buddha as well as relics of three former buddhas… Four entrance stairways lead to the main terrace. Visit at dawn if you want tranquillity; otherwise, pay your respects when the golden stupa flames crimson and burnt orange in the setting sun.” - Lonely Planet
Ananda Pahto
“The Ananda temple is one of Bagan’s best known and most beautiful temples. It was one of the first great temples to be build in Bagan and is well preserved. The temple is found near the Tharabar gate, the only gate remaining of the original 12 in the old Bagan city walls… The temple’s most distinctive feature is the gilded sikhara, the tower like spire on top of the pagoda. The reflection of the gilded sikhara is visible from miles away over the Bagan plains. After dark the Ananda Pagoda is lit up by spotlights creating a mystical atmosphere.” - renown-travel.com
Mandalay Hill
“Just outside the North of downtown, Mandalay Hill which summit is 230 m above the surrounding plain is the natural watch-tower for the visitors to watch sunrise or sunset over the city plains. Everyone who arrived in Mandalay, the ancient capital of Myanmar, usually goes to Mandalay Hill, the landmark of Mandalay, which overlooks the city.” - Myanmar Travel Information
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Transport Links M Y A N M A R H A S A notoriously interesting reputation when it comes to transportation, often described as slow and loud with questionable safety. However, the sheer variety of travel options you will find there more than makes up for some of the older methods of finding your way around the country. If you have some time on your hands then you will find your feet can get you to many places with ease, be that for exploration purposes or getting yourself from meeting to meeting. If you do choose this as your method of transport, remember to apply plenty of sun cream and where possible avoid the midday sun. Although they are slowly fading out of the country, Tuk Tuks are still available with negotiable rates based
of city buses which are generally reliable forms of transportation. Smaller towns rely quite heavily on motorcycle taxis and trishaws as the main mode of transport, so bare that in mind if you intend to spend a free day exploring.
on the distance you need to travel. Often if required, a driver will wait for you at your destination if they know they have secured a return fare. Depending on your placement within the country, larger towns located within Myanmar have a variety
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BusinessTravel Guide joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 676
ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 672
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