Mrauk-U not on junta list of top tourist destinations

By Admin 23 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom
23 September 2023, Mrauk-U

Myanmar’s junta-led Hotels and Tourism Ministry has issued a list of top tourist destinations for the coming tourist season and Mrauk-U is not on the list, befuddling local advocates of the ancient Arakanese city.

The ministry on September 21 issued a list containing a total of 14 tourist destinations.  Three Arakan State locales — Ngapali Beach, and Kyaukphyu and Manaung townships — are included on the list, but not Mrauk-U.

Ngapali Beach and Mrauk-U are Arakan State’s most popular tourist destinations, and the exclusion of the latter from the list could negatively impact the local tourism industry, hoteliers say.

“Operation costs including electricity bills have increased. We won’t be able to make profits if there are few visitors,” said the owner of Shwe Thazin Hotel in Mrauk-U, U Kyaw Zaw Hla. 

From the early 15th century to the late 1800s, Mrauk-U was the seat of Arakanese kings, who at the height of their power controlled an area covering large parts of eastern Bengal, modern-day Arakan State and the western part of lower Myanmar.

Its exemplary stone carving and sculptures, unique pagodas and stupas, ancient city walls and moats used in bygone days for irrigation and drainage as well as defence, are among the features highlighted in a pending bid submitted by Myanmar that seeks recognition of Mrauk-U as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mrauk-U has attracted fewer visitors in recent years due to armed conflict, the Covid-19 pandemic and post-coup turmoil. Locals hope to see an increase in the number of travellers this year as the area is relatively stable for the moment.

Daw Khin Than, chairperson of the Mrauk-U Cultural Heritage Conservation Association, said: “The exclusion [of Mrauk-U from the government’s tourism destinations list] could have serious impacts on hoteliers, eateries, and transportation service providers including tuk-tuk drivers.”

Director U Tin Tun Aung of the Arakan State Directorate of Hotels and Tourism said foreign travellers can travel to Mrauk-U by seeking approval from relevant departments.

Also on the list of top tourist destinations issued by the Hotels and Tourism Ministry are Naypyitaw, Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Ngwe Hsaung, Chaungtha, Ngapali, Pyin Oo Lwin, Inle, Taunggyi, Kawthoung and Putao.