Mizzima

The Military Council’s Ministry of Hotels and Tourism said that they were planning to attract Chinese tourists by arranging a Familiarization Trip or Fam trip in the country.

The Deputy Director General of the Hotels and Tourism Ministry, Zeyar Myo Aung, said that they would invite Chinese media, influencers, bloggers and tour operators for this trip.

The Deputy Minister of this ministry and the Chinese delegation led by the China Xizang Autonomous Region government Chairman Mr. Yan Jinhai met in Naypyitaw on 28 November.

The deputy director general of the Hotels and Tourism Ministry explained that this Fam trip would materialize in January 2024 and about 40 people would be invited for it.

The Myanmar ministry invited mainly the Chinese tour companies in Yunnan Province that work for Myanmar tours.

The main aim of this Farm Trip intends to emphasize normal accessibility to Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay tourist destinations.

The deputy director general added that this Fam Trip would help to correct the misleading image of Myanmar to Chinese people.

Moreover, the two sides reportedly discussed cooperation between the two countries for the development of the tourism industry and investing in it.

The spokesman of the Military Council Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun said on 27 November at a press conference that China and Myanmar were the strategic partners and they had a sound friendship between the two militaries.

The political and military analysts said their comments on recent live-fire drills on the border and friendship visits by China as an attempt to clear suspicions on China.

China has repeatedly urged to cease armed conflicts in northern Shan State immediately and engage in dialogue to resolve the disputes since the war broke out.

Currently the military conflict is escalating in other areas too and the international community issued travel advisory to their nationals and told them to avoid visiting these places.

The tourist destinations are shrinking in Myanmar after the war broke out between the Military Council and local revolutionary forces.

The Military Council is attracting Chinese tourists while the international community including UK and neighbouring countries are designating Myanmar as a travel risk zone and restricting their nationals visiting Myanmar.