Tourism sector typically declined after Thingyan in previous years, however it has still operated moderately until June this year, said Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association chairman U Naung Naung Han.
Tourist arrivals at Ngwehsaung and Chaungtha beaches mounted in March and April and hotel room prices rocketed in dry season, because of it, some visitors avoided travelling during that period but they have started travelling this season, he said. He added that some people go on vacation now as their job needs to stop in the rainy season.
“In past, visitor arrivals at beaches usually declined after Thingyan period. But this year is different. Because beaches are always crowded in March and April and room prices are expensive so some people avoided travelling during that period. But they go trips in May or June. And some businesses are busy in dry season but they need to break in the rainy season, so people from related-businesses go on vacations in the rainy season. For example, farmers are busy in the rainy season but rice and beans traders are free so they go on vacation,” said U Naung Naung Han.
There are still visitors in post-Thingyan period this year so hotels have still operated and some hotels have given discount, he said.
“But I think some hotels will stop temporarily in June or July and resume in August or September when tourist arrivals are likely to increase again,” he added.
In Bagan, rain level is low, that is why there are still tourists. At present, there are day-trippers in Yangon and nearby tourist destinations and waterfalls. — MT/ZS/ED
