TOURIST arrivals to Myanmar through Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Muse were up 17.18 percent in the first six months of 2007 compared with the same period last year, according to statistics from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.
Total numbers jumped from 120,223 arrivals from January to June 2006, to 145,165 during the same period this year.

The number of tourists arriving through Yangon rose 18.68pc, from 111,000 to 136,501.

The ranks of Foreign Independent Travellers (FIT) entering through Yangon increased from 52,483 to 68,338 (23.20pc ), while package tour arrivals grew by 29.19pc – from 19,755 to 27,902 – at the airport.

Most January-to-June arrivals this year were from Asia (81,425), followed by West Europe (43,134); North America (11,064); Oceania including Australia, New Zealand and others (4469); East Europe including Russia (1067) and others (1387); Middle East (1577); Latin America (810); and Africa (232).

Most Asian visitors were from Thailand (20,772) and China (13,509). The West Europe market was topped by visitors from France (10,260) and Germany (10,077). There were also 9137 visitors from the United States, 1927 from Canada and 3965 from Australia.

Meanwhile, some of Myanmar’s leading hotels are offering special deals and improving facilities and services to attract more customers.

Hotel Nikko Royal Lake Yangon has introduced special packages for local residents for August and September. The Monsoon Madness (US$45 for one or two people) and Swing and Sway with Nikko ($55 a person or $65 for two) packages each include accommodation with international buffet breakfast, as well as use of the swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi. The Swing and Sway package also includes a massage.

Sedona Hotel in Yangon and Mandalay is collaborating with Yangon Airways to offer the SHM Executive Package. For $180 a person, travellers get return airfare between Mandalay and Yangon, one night of accommodation at Sedona Hotel and complimentary breakfast. For $360, two travellers get return airfare, two nights at Sedona Hotel in Mandalay, or one night in Mandalay and one night in Yangon, plus complimentary breakfast on both days.

The Governor’s Residence in Yangon, which last year became part of the Orient-Express Hotels Group, has been undergoing renovations since March, including upgrading 12 of its rooms into a higher category of accommodation.
Sandoway Resort in Ngapali Beach is taking advantage of the off-season by building a 60-seat cinema with two attached meeting rooms, slated to be finished by the time the hotel reopens in October.