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MYANMAR
A land of tradition and transition
M Y A N M A R
MYANM M
yanmar entered a new era in 2015, voting in the country’s first democratic administration for more than 50 years. A momentous political and social event, it also heralded new financial developments as foreign investors started to see opportunity in the nation’s economic scene, prompting expansion of vital connectivity services like mobile and internet networks. However, Myanmar is still steeped
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Myanmar is a country in transition following the recent installation of a democratic government, adding to the fascinating mix of sacred sites and stunning scenery Writer: Tom Wadlow Project Manager: Joe Palliser
in the traditional customs and ways of life that has forever intrigued visiting tourists. Much of the country’s recent modernisation has been confined to the larger urban areas, leaving vast expanses either relatively untouched by this development or off limits due to ongoing ethnic conflict. Among the undoubted highlights Myanmar’s safe havens have to offer are its mix of sacred landmarks and awe-inspiring physical terrain, some of
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NMAR the most breath-taking to be found on the entire Asian continent. Whether it’s a stride up Mandalay Hill, a stroll around the mighty Inle Lake or a look at Buddhist site Shwedagon Pagoda, there is plenty for curious and adventurous visitors to embrace here. Add in a mix of traditions and customs from multiple ethnic groups and it is little wonder why the likes of Rudyard Kipling described Burma (as it was known until 1989) as unlike any land you know about.
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M Y A N M A R
The Business End
MYANMAR’S ECONOMIC PICTURE, despite recent liberalisation, is still one of the least developed in the entire region. Much of the population is engaged directly in agricultural activities, with many of the county’s other economic ventures like transport, processing, exporting and marketing indirectly linked to such rural enterprises. Indeed, agriculture, forestry and fishing together account for the largest proportion of Myanmar’s GDP, which stands at around the $62 billion mark. Within this setup, rice alone accounts for around half of all agricultural land, the country’s spectacular mountainside rice paddies being a particular geographical hallmark.
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FACTS & FIGURES
Yangon, Myanmar downtown skyline at dusk
Capital: Nay Pyi Taw Languages: Burmese Area: 676,577 km2 Population (2017): 53,570,000 GDP (2016): $62.48 billion Currency: kyat Time zone: GMT +6.30 Dialling code: +95 Internet TLD: .mm Climate: Monsoon
The tourism industry is one that appears to offer promise. In 2017, 3.44 million visitors either touched down at airports or crossed the border into Myanmar, a marked increase of 18 percent on the 2.9 million seen in the previous year. However, this is still some way off the record 4.68 million tourists that flocked to the country in 2015, the year of its democratisation. The opening of a stream of luxury hotels and resorts has helped numbers to recover, which when viewed over a period of more than 20 years show a remarkable rise, evidenced by the fact that 1995 saw just 20,000 visitors arrive.
M Y A N M A R
Out & About A TRIP TO Myanmar would not be complete without a visit to some of its numerous Buddhist sacred sites, the most significant and important being the Shwedagon Pagoda which is located in Yangon. It dominates the skyline on the 100-metre tall Singuttura Hill and is believed to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas, making it a must-see for those interested in local religious culture. Myanmar’s natural wonders are also a major draw, the huge Inle Lake being a particular highlight along with Mount Popa, Maymyo Botanical Gardens and a series of wonderous cave sites. The Ayeyarwaddy River in Mingun is a highly recommended
visit, this vital artery of the country providing transport for both goods and people looking to take in the surrounding sights. In terms of food and drink, teahouses represent an important part of local life, not only a place for eating and drinking but for social gatherings and chinwags. The country’s food scene is made up of a wide and eclectic range of dishes that reflect its multicultural makeup, with rice, vegetables and tropical fruit key staples found in many recipes. Given Myanmar’s extensive river network and array of port cities, seafood and fish are also extremely popular.
Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar
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Mount Popa is a volcano 1,518 metres (4,981 feet) above sea level, located in central Myanmar in the region of Mandalay approx. 50 kilometres (31 miles) southeast of Bagan (Pagan) in the Pegu Range. It can be seen from the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River on a clear day. Mount Popa is best known as a pilgrimage site, with numerous Nat temples and relic sites at the summit
M Y A N M A R
Outlook Recommends “It’s a new era for this extraordinary and complex land, where the landscape is scattered with gilded pagodas and the traditional ways of Asia endure” – Lonely Planet
TRAVEL OPERATORS
HOTELS
SACRED SITES
Accor Hotels
Sulamani Guphaya Temple
Bangkok Airways Bangkok Airways is a regional airline based in Thailand, with services covering Myanmar. These include flights in and out of Yangon from Bangkok and Chang Mai, and also flights in and out of Nau Pyi Taw from Chang Mai.
Summit Parkview Yangon Hotel Villa Inle Boutique Resort Silk Road To Asia
NATURE
An exclusive inbound tour operator, Silk Road To Asia caters to all types of travel and touring requirements. The company operates a network of multilingual tour guides with branches and transportation based in Myanmar’s major cities.
Ananda Temple Lampi Marine National Park Mount Victoria National Park
Exotic Myanmar Travel 8
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Maymyo Botanical Garden
Shwenandaw Monastery
Silk Road to Asia Travels & Tours Co., Ltd. is an inbound tour operator in Myanmar offering a number of tailor-made tour packages since 1992. We want to share great experiences of travelling in Myanmar, nourishing your senses with her sights and sounds. We can assure you that, with each visit, there will always be something new for everyone and something left to explore and experience. This will not just be an experience but a memory, which will last for a lifetime. Your visit with us is also a great CONTRIBUTION to the local communities as part of our sustainable development project. Make your dream trip happen with Silk Road to Asia.
+95 1 656963, 656964, 656942 sales@silkroadtoasia.com tour2myanmar@silkroadtoasia.com www.silkroadtoasia.com
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M Y A N M A R
Myanmar Tourism Marketing OPERATING AS THE marketing arm of the Myanmar Tourism Federation, Myanmar Tourism Marketing (MTM) is one organisation that has been playing a key role in facilitating this rise. Formed in 2000 under the guidance of Myanmar’s Ministry of Hotels & Tourism, the non-government and nonprofit body has been bringing together Myanmar-based tourism specialists over the past two decades, promoting the country as a destination offering rich experiences to its visitors. Speaking to May Myat Mon Win, the Chairperson of MTM, we discover how the organisation is looking to propel this message during the coming years. AsO: Since inception, how has MTM developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across? May Myat Mon Win (MMMW): One of our key objectives is to promote Myanmar as a preferred destination for tourists. MTM has organised travel trade shows and road shows overseas and every year we try to enter new markets and new countries to promote Myanmar in this way. MTM has been inviting travel writers, travel journalists and bloggers on media trips so they can better understand what Myanmar has to offer when they share their experiences in publications, in blogs and on social media channels. This can lead to greater credibility, better show that Myanmar is a safe destination to travel, and generally create a better image.
and rich natural resources. As such, with over 50 million people, Myanmar has the potential to play a pivotal role in many different business sectors across the country. The government has initiated a wide range of reforms to open its economy further to trade and investment, key factors behind its growing appeal. AsO: Why, in your opinion, should someone visit Myanmar? MMMW: This enchanting country has so much to offer and there are many reasons why someone should visit Myanmar. A land of golden pagodas, ancient capitals, traditional arts and crafts, diversity and warm and friendly people, Myanmar offers a richly rewarding travel experience. AsO: Are there any specific attractions, landmarks or places to eat and drink that you would recommend? MMMW: Myanmar has many wonderous sights, from thousands of temples scattered across the countryside in Bagan to the leg-rowers and floating gardens of Inle Lake, and the world-famous Ayeyarwady. However, what makes a country is not merely its landmarks, but more its citizens. While it is true that Myanmar has breathtaking historical sites that you won’t want to miss, its real charm resides in its people.
AsO: What trends are transforming the tourism industry in Myanmar at present? How are you responding to these trends? MMMW: In the past few months, we’ve been looking at digital transformation as a trend and are now focusing heavily on digital marketing as a way to promote the country both locally and internationally. With rising mobile integration, travellers can now do almost everything via their phone, from booking hotels and flights to choosing their destination. To deliver on these expectations, technology is a must. AsO: How do you see Myanmar developing as a business travel hub over the next year to two years? MMMW: We’re planning to Waive visas for some Asian countries, providing e-visas or visas upon arrival to facilitate the fast processing of documents for foreign participants coming to the country. Equally, we’re planning to introduce more hotels and international flights arriving to Myanmar. All of these things will help to make Myanmar a leading MICE destination in the near future. AsO: Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Myanmar? MMMW: Although 2018 has been a challenging year for tourism in Myanmar, high hopes and strong belief remain across the country that tourism will bring positive change to this culturally diverse nation. In answer to your question, I am very optimistic about the future, yes.
AsO: What are the best ways of getting around the country? MMMW: For most, the main ways AsO: How would you say Myanmar of getting around Myanmar are by has developed in recent years as a air and bus. You can of course mix business travel hub and what are the different modes of transport during key reasons behind its growing appeal? your travels depending on your MMMW: Myanmar is one of the budget and itinerary, but buses are the fastest growing economies in Asia cheapest form of transport and some with a sizeable yet young population destinations can only be reached by air. www.tourismmyanmar.org
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A Perfect Place to Relax & Rejuvenate This eco-friendly resort is situated near the village of Maing Thauk in Nyaung Shwe Township and on the spread over more than 20 acres on the eastern fringe of Inle lake where overlooking the Mystical Inle Lake in front and Shan Mountain Range at the background. All Villas at Villa Inle Boutique Resort are designed to harmoniously blend in with the natural environment of the lake. Featuring hand-selected local paintings and antiques, high wooden ceilings, and spacious living areas and bathrooms, they radiate a sensation of luxury and comfort. You will be amazed the spectacular view with the peaceful and unique atmosphere. Phone : +959 2562 08093, 4283 54320 Email : sales.mgr@villainle.com fo@villainle.com Location : Eastern Shore of Inle Lake, Near Maing Thauk Village, Nyaung Shwe Township, Southern Shan State, Myanmar
www.villainle.com
Summit Parkview, the ďŹ rst 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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Restaurant & Bar Business Center Gymnasium Ballroom & meeting rooms
350 Ahlone Road, Dagon Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
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Shops & Clinic In-room safe box Concierge & Transportation Services ATM & Foreign Currencies Exchange Service Telephone : (95-1) 211 888, 211 966 Email : summitparkview@summityangon.com
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Complimentary Wi-Fi Access Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services 24 hours in-room dining 24 hours Security & CCTV surveillance : www.summityangon.com Website Follow us on :
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M Y A N M A R
Transport Links
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authorities. However, while Myanmar’s road network is often easier to negotiate than the likes of Vietnam and Thailand, only half of the 15,000 miles of road are paved. Within cities and surrounding areas, bicycles are a very popular way of getting around, especially for tourists visiting Mandalay, Inle Lake and Bagan.
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PHOTO: PASCAL KOBEH
MYANMAR’S D OMESTIC AIR travel network has improved in recent years thanks to regional airlines’ investment in new routes and aircraft. Major cities offer at least daily flights between each other, with more remote areas more likely to offer services once or twice a week. Train travel is cheap but requires patience, with routes often taking longer than bus equivalents and sleep hard to get on overnight trains that rock back and forth. The British first introduced rail to the country in 1877, with the network today comprising more than 3,000 miles of track and 850 stations. A more reliable (and more expensive) option is to hire a car with a driver, as driving a car yourself requires permission from government
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Landmark Attractions
Shwedagon Pagoda
“No visit to the Union of Myanmar is complete without a visit to the 2,500 years old Shwedagon Pagoda, which enshrines strands of Buddha’s hair and other holy relics. Located west of the Royal Lake on 114-acre Singuttara Hill in Yangon, Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred and impressive Buddhist site for the people of the Union of Myanmar” – shwedagonpagoda.com
Sadan Cave
“22 kilometres southeast of Hpa An you can find the stunning Sadan Cave, which opens into a gigantic cavern filled with Buddhas and pagodas and can be walked all the way through to the other side, under the mountain” – go-myanmar.com
Mandalay Hill
“To get a sense of Mandalay’s pancake-flat sprawl, climb the 760-foot hill that breaks it. The walk up covered stairways on the hill’s southern slope is a major part of the experience; note that you’ll need to go barefoot in places, as you pass through numerous temples and pagodas” – Lonely Planet
Inle Lake
“…all the hype is justified. Picture a vast, serene lake – 13.5 miles long and seven miles wide – fringed by marshes and floating gardens, where stilt-house villages and Buddhist temples rise above the water, and Intha fisher folk propel their boats along via their unique technique of leg-rowing” – Lonely Planet
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BusinessTravel Guide joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com
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