Nyaungshwe, the principal town in the Inle Lake area, tops the list of most popular international travel destinations in Myanmar, followed by Bagan- NyaungU, which hosts about 300 foreign visitors per day.
Approximately 600 foreigntourists enter Nyaungshwe daily to visit Inle Lake, the popular inland freshwater lake.
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has put forth concerted efforts to promote interest from international visitors by establishing tourism and recreational facilities as well as exposing more destinations.
There are about 90 registered hotels and guesthouses in Nyaungshwe, including floating structures on the lake.
A foreigner has to pay US$10 to enter the town, which helps raise the country’s foreign currency income. The country receives over Ks7.8 million ($6,000) daily from the town.
According to the ministry’s figures, a total of 121,736 tourists entered Nyaungshwe this year, an increase of 24,745 visitors compared with last year’s total.
The ministry expects that the number of international tourist arrivals in Nyaungshwe are likely to top 140,000 by the end of December.
The majority of visitors are from France, other European countries, the U.S., China, Japan and Thailand. They usually tour around the town and nearby areas including Taunggyi, Pindaya and Kalaw.
Plans are underway to improve tourist attractions with night markets in both Yangon and Nyaungshwe, said a ministry spokesperson, with plans to also ease some rules and restrictions during the high season in cooperation with relevant authorities.
Source: Gobal New light of Myanmar
