The sun sets over Ngwe Saung beach on the west coast of Ayeyarwady Division.

A PRIVATE tour company has announced plans to launch a regular car service for tourists to Ngwe Saung beach in the coming high season.

U Hla Aye, the managing director of Shan Yoma tour company, said he was inspired to launch the service after attending a seminar earlier this year on the tourist potential of Ngwe Saung, which is located on the west coast of Ayeyarwady Division.

“Our company already has enough cars to run the service so I thought it would be a good idea even if other companies are not interested in running similar services,” he said.

“Ngwe Saung is beautiful and interesting with fine weather. The main problem for tourists is transportation,” he said.

“If you hire a car to get there you need to pay for the whole trip even if the car just sits at your hotel while you are at the beach, which can cost US$200 or more.”

U Hla Aye said Shan Yoma’s service, which will start October 1, will cost $60 a person roundtrip.

“The car will leave at 6am from Yangon to Ngwe Saung every Monday and Friday, and it will return from the beach on Sunday and Wednesday if there are at least two guests,” he said, adding only roundtrip tickets were sold and travelers could change the return day once the trip started.

One local who spent his Thingyan holiday at Ngwe Saung said the beach could attract more visitors because it was attractive and quiet.

“Many people still prefer nearby Chaungtha beach because it is cheaper, there are many food choices and it is easier to get to,” he said.

“I think it’s true that more people will travel to Ngwe Saung if transportation is improved,” said U Hla Aye. “Ngapali (in Rakhine State) is much farther away but more people go there because there are direct flights.”

He said Shan Yoma would also offer package trips to Ngwe Saung that would include car service to and from the beach.