Tourism sector key to generating jobs

If implementation of the reform process continues, the tourism industry will play a major role, creating job opportunities for the people of Myanmar, according to experts. 

Tourist arrivals to Myanmar have increased every year, according to available statistics. 

Changes in the political arena have resulted in more international tourists turning their attention to the country since 2011. 

Tourist arrivals to Myanmar reached more than a million for the first time in 2012. And the figures for 2013 are expected to be even better.

Addressing the World Economic Forum on East Asia in Nay Pyi Taw on June 6, Union Minister of Hotels and Tourism U Htay Aung said that as per the Master Plan for sustainable tourism development in Myanmar the arrival of tourists will reach about 7.5 million in 2020. About 1.4 million job opportunities will be created if the country continues to implement economic, political and social reforms, he said.

Tourism will be the main pillar of the Myanmar economy and it will create job opportunities for the people, including for those living in underprivileged parts of the country said Stephen Groff, vice-chairman of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Asian Development Bank (ABD) and Norway will provide Myanmar US$500 million (Bt15 billion) to upgrade its tourism industry, said Htay Aung, Minister for Hotels and Tourism at the WEF. 

“The ADB and Norway will help with implementation of the plan. The master plan includes both short-term and long-term plans. Among the projects, 21 are crucial,” said Minister Htay Aung.

In 2012, tourist arrivals have remarkably increased, leading to the need for a number of tourist guides, hotel staff and other hotel-related jobs. 

Now the tourism industry has become a popular career for the youth.

The number of investors from Asia and Europe putting money in Myanmar’s tourism industry has also risen. Some projects of the tourism sector did not go ahead in the past due to various reasons. 

But, the tourism businesses are now getting back on track.

Our project will create thousands of job opportunities for the locals, helping to add millions of dollars to Yangon’s annual budget, said Dong Nguyen Duc of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group of Vietnam who made the investment in hotels and economic infrastructure. 

The tourism industry saw difficulties in 2007 and at that time the youths working in the hotels and tourism fields left Myanmar and went abroad for jobs, it is reported.