September 27, 2019
Vice President U Henry Van Thio, Chairman of National Tourism Development Central (NTDC) Committee addressed meeting number 2/2019 of the central committee held at the Mingala Thiri Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
The meeting was attended by central committee members Union Ministers, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, States/Regions Chief Ministers, States/Regions ministers, departmental heads, travel sector experts and representatives of travel organizations.
At the meeting the Vice President said the meeting was the second meeting after forming the NTDC Committee, Tourism Work Committees and Region Work Committees according to the Myanmar Tourism Law enacted on 17 September 2018. The aim of this meeting was to discuss, implement and coordinate the decisions made at the first meeting as well matters for the government and private sector to conduct.
During the present government’s term, it can be seen that investment increased due to changes and political and economic reforms resulting in increased job opportunities for the people. To develop the Myanmar tourism sector the government was also increasing the working rights of the private sector and inviting local and foreign investments. As the government was striving and implementing towards creating job opportunities and developing the private sector, States and Regions were urged to give priority to projects on constructing and developing basic tourism infrastructures and cooperate hand in hand with the government and the private sector. As the tourism sector developed in Myanmar, more jobs will be created for the Myanmar people while increasing their living standards as well.
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has established the Myanmar Tourism Master Plan 2013-2020 as a guide to future works. It was learnt that the ministry was cooperating with the World Tourism Organization and development partner organization Luxembourg Development Agency to draw up projects for the 2020 to 2025 period. Tourism required cooperation with all sectors and cooperation between private entities and relevant departments was required. State/Region governments were also learnt to be coordinating and drawing up region wise tourism master projects that would increase local participation.
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism on its part was also raising Myanmar’s travel image through implementing the Digital Marketing system for tourism sector development, participating in international travel and tourism exhibitions, inviting news media to produce video/audio to inform international travellers on visiting a peaceful and stable Myanmar, producing and distributing pamphlets, produce DVDs and increasing advertisements through Myanmar embassies, arranging and inviting FAM (familiarization) Trips and appointing travel ambassadors.
Investment in tourism plays a vital role in creating the country’s economic development and sharing the benefits of the tourism sector to local people was very important. Regional tourism work committees, relevant ministerial departments, state/region government members and private organizations were urged to coordinate and cooperate.
When thinking of attracting tourists travelling for various reasons services were required to be provided towards travel for leisure and relaxation, business travel, adventure travel, travel for gaining knowledge, travel for taking health care treatment, travel for sporting activities, nature based travel, travel for food etc.
Development of travel infrastructure, establishing new travel destinations, arranging train and boat voyages for travellers to enjoy natural beauties, upgrading local airport buildings etc. were urged to be conducted through government (public) and private cooperation. In doing this not only short term profit but long term benefits also need to be considered together.
Available travel resources need to be used as the main opportunity to develop the country’s economy. The Vice President urged and invited the participants of the meeting to discuss issues and challenges faced in conducting travel sector development and provide suggestions. Not only the Hotels and Tourism Ministry but related ministerial departments and tourism stakeholders were urged to strive together towards sustainable development of Myanmar’s tourism sector, said the Vice President.
Afterwards, Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism U Ohn Maung discussed the Digital Marketing system for tourism sector development; usage of offline platforms; displaying exhibits representing Myanmar at international travel shows, arranging FAM Trips to Myanmar for well-known international audio/video media personnel, travel bloggers, celebrities and travel agencies; holding of tourism development festivals and Community Based Tourism (CBT) etc.
Next, Central Committee joint secretary explained to the Central Committee and obtained the Central Committee’s approval about status of implementing decisions made at Central Committee meeting 1/2019; reorganizing and reforming of tourism work committee and regional work committee members; allowance and grants earmarked for regional work committee member travel experts and representatives of private travel organizations; formation of sports tourism steering committee and food tourism steering committee and status of implementing tourism works.
Following this, the Vice President took a commemorative group photo with meeting attendees.
After the group photo session the meeting was continued where central committee member Union Minister Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, Dr Pe Myint, Thura U Aung Ko, U Thant Sin Maung, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, States/Regions Chief Ministers, departmental heads, experts on travel sector and representatives of travel organizations joined in the discussions.
The Vice President coordinated on the discussion s made and concluded the meeting. – MNA
(Translated by Zaw Min)
