Tourism in Arakan State still struggling to rebound 

By DMG 22 Nov 2021

DMG Newsroom
22 November 2021, Sittwe 

Despite the arrival of the 2021-22 tourism season, visitor numbers to Arakan State remain stubbornly low, according to the state’s Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (DoHT). 

Authorities in Arakan State have said they are expecting a resurgence of tourism, an industry that was hit hard by two years of armed conflict between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic. With the fighting having all but ceased for more than a year, and new Covid-19 infections in decline for several weeks now, travel to the region is poised for a comeback, the thinking goes. 

But visitors to Arakan State, and particularly foreign tourists, have been slow to return in large numbers. Of the 39,643 travellers visiting the state in the 10 months from January through October of this year, only 492 were foreigners, according to figures from the DoHT. 

“Tourists did not come to Arakan State as foreign airlines were closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” U Tin Tun Aung, director of the Arakan State DoHT, told DMG. “Foreign tourists mainly come to Arakan State by air. If the airlines resume operations, tourists will visit Arakan State. Airlines have not been able to resume operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.” 

In 2018, about 200 tourists visited the ancient city of Mrauk-U every day, but now there are days when no foreign visitors arrive, said Ko Zaw Lin Oo, secretary of an association for Mrauk-U tour guides. 

“With no tourists, it is not convenient for tourist guides like us. We have had more difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic than during the war. Some tourist guides earn a living as three-wheeled motorbike drivers and some work at the hotels and some join organisations,” he told DMG. 

The tourism slump over the past three years has left many tour guides unemployed, prompting some to move into other lines of work to support their families. 

But there are also faint signs of a rebound, according to U Oo Maung Than, owner of Nay La Min souvenir shop in Mrauk-U. 

“During this year’s tourism season, we are selling more souvenirs and Buddha images than last year. There are more pilgrims on weekends,” he said. 

Due to regional instability and the pandemic, tourist arrivals in Arakan State last year declined by 25% compared with 2019, according to data compiled by the state’s DoHT.