Myanmar’s 1992 tourism law will be reviewed and updated to streamline licensing procedures for hotels

Myanmar’s 1992 tourism law will be reviewed and updated to streamline licensing procedures for hotels, restaurants, and tour guides, the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism announced during the World Economic Forum on East Asia in Nay Pyi Taw.

“Myanmar’s tourism has potential for further development. It will be helped by ADB [Asian Development Bank] and the government of Norway. Our plan will create job opportunities in the country,” Htay Aung, Minister for Hotel and Tourism, said.

Growth prospects for the industry are cited to the upcoming Southeast Asian Games towards the end of the year and Myanmar’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2014.

However, the country’s infrastructures are still in poor conditions, while it is facing issues such as lack of sufficient hotel rooms and poor internet connection.

Myanmar has earlier unveiled a $500 million plan to upgrade the country’s tourism industry, and ADB and Norway are to help the implementation of the master plan which will improve transportation access to the major tourist destinations of Myanmar, security services for foreign tourists, and formation of a national level coordination board.

In 2011-12, Myanmar witnessed a new high in the number of foreign tourists, which has risen 29.7 percent to 1.06 million compared to the year before. Relaxation of visa restrictions has been attributed to the boost in the industry.