Friday 15 September 2017

MYANMAR: Mrauk-U Is Safe For Tourists Despite Conflict In Rakhine State

Despite the ongoing conflicts in neighbouring Rakhine State, it is still safe for local and foreign tourists to visit the ancient city of Mrauk-U.

The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism in a travel advisory said all tourist sites including sunny Ngapali beach and the ancient temple ruins of Mrauk-U continue to be safe destinations.

The weather all over Myanmar is excellent so don’t wait for the high season but visit now,said the advisory.

Mrauk-U region is located very far from the affected areas and peaceful tourism is still ongoing around the site, U Than Hlaing, chair of Mrauk-U hotel zone said.

Conflicts in Rathedaung township had not reached Mrauk-U as the location is far away, and there are no good roads connecting Maungdaw, he said.

The hotel bookings have not been cancelled yet and we are still receiving guests as usual.

The arrival numbers of tourists for this year may slightly decrease, but overall, the tourism industry of the area is not really impacted.

We also plan to release information about Mrauk-U safety concerns for tourists through the Myanmar Hotelier Association’s facebook page and on the website shortly, U Than Hlaing said.

Myanmar continues to be a very safe country for foreign tourists. There is a continuous arrival of tourists through international airports, seaports and border gates.

Now I’m taking a guest from Australia to tour around Sittwe. Tomorrow we will be heading to Mrauk-U.

My guest will spend a week in Mrauk-U. He is my first customer for this tour season, Ma Kyawt Aye Than, a local tourist guide said.

I also booked tours for October and November and they confirmed their bookings. Sittwe and Mrauk-U regions are still peaceful.

One can visit the sites without worrying about the conflict,she added.


Tourism Observer

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