Bay of Bengal Resort is among the hotels in Ngwe Saung offering special package deals for beachgoers. Pic: Douglas Long

LOCAL and foreign visitors to Ngwe Saung Beach can look forward to a feast of fun as local hoteliers plan new special attractions.

U Hla Maung Shwe, the chairman of the Ngwe Saung Hoteliers Association, told The Myanmar Times: “The association is making many attractive plans for tourism promotion aimed at both foreign and local visitors.” And hotel staff and villagers in Ngwe Saung Beach can also join the fun, he said. The association has opened a visitors’ information centre in front of the zone entrance.

To spread the word about the zone’s attractions, local journalists covering tourism will be invited to Nwge Saung Beach, he said.

“All journalists can write about the pros and cons from their different points of view,” said U Hla Maung Shwe.

Fun competitions such as beach football, volleyball, making sand castles, traditional dancing and bamboo pole-climbing will be held on the beach, he said.

The Ngwe Saung Hoteliers Association is also considering organising a photo gallery showing the beauty of Ngwe Saung Beach, in cooperation with the Myanmar Photographers Association in Yangon in November, said U Hla Maung Shwe.

“Award-winning photos will be shown on hotel websites available to foreign tourists,” he said.

U Hla Maung Shwe said that last month the association formed committees on beach security, emergency response and environmental conservation.

Meanwhile, most hotels on Ngwe Saung Beach have their own promotional plans. Bay of Bengal Resort is preparing to offer a three-day trip for local and foreign visitors between October 9 to and November 30, said Daw Ei Thet Htar, a senior marketing manager.

She said it will cost from $195 to $325 for a room including breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“The hotel will arrange honeymoon trips and day-trips by motor boat to nearby islands,” said Daw Ei Thet Htar.

One hotel – Silver View – is preparing for Thadingyut by setting out lanterns and offering traditional cakes to visitors, said manager U Maung Maung Aye.