Foreigners barred from Rakhine, Shan
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Foreigners are prohibited from visiting restive areas, Myan-mar's Ministry of Hotels & Tourism has announced.
The ministry identified these areas as Sittwe, Mrauk-U, Waytharli and Mahamuni in Rakhine State and Mong La in Shan State.
“The announcement is effective until changes are made,” said U Tin Tun Aung, secretary of the Association of Myanmar’s Tour Operators.
Rakhine, a popular destination for international tourists, has been suffering from unrest since June 2012.
The Ngapali beach in Thantwe and ancient city Waytharli, north of Mrauk-U, are also famous with tourists, as well as the Mahamuni pagoda in Kyauktaw.
Mong La is a border town in the Eastern Shan State and visitors from Thailand and China with entry permits were previously allowed.
“All these areas are expected to re-open to foreigners in coming peak season,” said U Tin Tun Aung.
3,000 migrant workers stranded
About 3,000 Myanmarese workers remain stranded in the southeastern city of Myawaddy for four to five months on their way to Thailand due to unreliable agent-to-agent referrals.
Some of the workers had to return to their homes as they failed to bear the expenses of living in the city for several months.
Those still trapped in the city bordering Thailand have to pay a large amount of money to their agents besides shouldering living expenses and fees for appointment letters.
Meantime, families of the workers, who are leaving the country for lack of job opportunities, have also been forced to bear the brunt of the delay. Many of families are struggling to support the stranded workers.
The agents, meanwhile, blamed “slow procedure” by the Nay Pyi Taw labor department in issuing appointment letters as the cause of delay.
Increase seen in business tourists
More business tourists are arriving in Myanmar looking for opportunities in the hotel and construction industries, the Hotel and Tourism Ministry said.
A total of 9,738 business tourists visited in July, the highest since January.
Most of the business tourists come from US, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Russia and Hong Kong.
Businessmen and members of social organizations can apply for visa-on-arrival; nationals from France, Germany, UK, US, Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand, Italy, Australia, China, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea and North Korea can also avail of this privilege.
