Colliers has identified Yangon as a key consideration for any reform of Myanmar's tourism sector.

It comes after The Myanmar Times reported that Myanmar's Hotels and Tourism Ministry were set to introduce new bylaws as early as this month after consulting with stakeholders as part of the Myanmar Tourism Law bill, which the lower house passed in September last year.

Colliers said an in-depth investigation of tourist profiles and arrival statistics "was vital".

"Generally, the country continues to attract a steady stream of overseas visitors to flagship destinations like Yangon," it said.

"The next phase of growth will demand better marketing, branding and identity of the country.

"This should allow the government to design and implement programs deemed ideal and suitable for the market; and eventually support the hotel and tourism businesses."

Under the new bylaws, tourism businesses could directly apply to regional tourism committees instead of the ministry for licences, which cover in-bound, outbound and domestic destination tour operators, as well as hotels, guest houses, and national and regional tour guides.

Representatives from the Union of Myanmar Travel Association and Myanmar Tourist Guide Association have been among those to speak out against the proposed changes.

Myanmar Tourist Guide Association secretary general Daw Ei Thu Htut told the Times bylaws should only allow local guides to provide tour guide services

“We have seen a lot of group tours in the country led by foreign guides in the past several years," she said.

 "We want to protect our services with a clear mandate in the new law."

Some business owners are also concerned about the continued use of foreign currency, with Union of Myanmar Travel Association executive U Maung Maung telling the Times there needed to be restrictions on accepting overseas tender within the bylaws.

"Some sites charge entrance fees in other currencies due to the unstable exchange rate, which creates problems for tour operators," he said.

"If all sites collect fees only in the Myanmar currency, it will help stabilise the exchange rate."

Source: The Myanmar Times

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