Reporter - Danis Aung Aung
Yangon, 10 October

Veteran tour guides and travel agencies predict that the recent slump of tourist arrival to Myanmar will be short-lived and the number of visitors coming to the country is expected to be back to normal early next year.

"Travel and tour industry is the first sector to suffer the consequences immediately after a major crisis such as a civil unrest, a natural disaster or an outbreak of epidemic disease in any country. Those who are planning to come to Myanmar and visitors who are already in the country have called off their tour programs because of the political instability which happened last month. Both travelers and tour companies are monitoring the situation on the ground. But it will be a temporary situation. I think the business will bounce back right after the New Year period," Ko Than Htun, an experienced English/German language tour guide, told the 7Day News Journal.

Although there are more or less no tourists from overseas coming in to the country, it is business as usual for the local tour operators of local pilgrimage trips as they plan their regular journeys all over the country.

"It is possible that we might attract fewer visitors for the pilgrimage trips this year compared to the previous years. However, those who want to go to religious festivals such as Phaungdawoo Pagoda Festival and Kyaikhteeyoe Festival will continue to head for their destinations. Since the curfew is in effect in Yangon and Mandalay, we have to set off early to be able to return ahead of schedule in the evening. Otherwise, everything seems to be quite all right," a member of staff from Shwe Kyee Si Travel said.

"Because of the current situation in the tourism industry, our long-staying guests as well as incoming tour groups have cancelled their reservations. We are negotiation about the cancellation fees to minimize losses for all parties concerned - hotel, travel companies and guests - as confirmed bookings have to be cancelled. It will take a while for the visitors to come back to the hotels. I think the situation will remain like that for at least half of the coming open season," an official from a hotel told the 7Day News Journal.

Source : 7Day News Journal, 18 October 2007