The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has instructed tour companies to add a one-night visit to Nay Pyi Taw to their tour packages.
In its letter to tour companies sent in late October, the ministry tried to sell the Nay Pyi Taw package by mentioning that it is the administrative capital of Myanmar, that it has basic infrastructure and that it is a ‘green city’. They letter also said foreigners will be able to visit the inside of the parliament compound.
U Thet Lwin Toe, chairman of the Union of Myanmar Travel Association, said: “First-time visitors to Myanmar mostly go to Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. Nay Pyi Taw is a place for business people who need to attend meetings, not tour packages. Hotel fees are not expensive in Nay Pyi Taw, but transportation to the city is still expensive, so we need to take time to develop the tourism industry.”
According to several travel and tour companies, adding Nay Pyi Taw to tour itineraries poses some problems because tourists mainly want to visit Mandalay and Bagan to see Myanmar cultural heritage sites.
(7Day)
