Many tourists heading to Mandalay
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More than 160,000 tourists entered Mandalay during the high season from October to November.
Currently, many homestay places are mushrooming in Mandalay to cater to the tourists, according to tour guides and residents.
“At the start of this travel season, more travellers are entering through Mandalay’s Tada U airport. Most travellers prefer homestay because it is less expensive compared to hotels,” said a tour guide.
“Only foreigners sent by their companies, not ordinary tourists, and accompanied by responsible persons are allowed to reside at homestay places. If any foreigners residing at homestay places break the visa rules, both of them will be charged,” said an official from the Immigration and National Registration Department, Mandalay Region.
Moreover, the regional government has been criticised for allowing foreign visitors to drive motorcycles around Mandalay and nearby areas.
“Visitors from foreign countries do not have permission to drive cars or motorcycles. This is dangerous for them, too. If any accidents happen, a big responsibility will be on the regional government,” said Soe Moe, a tour guide.
Foreigners entering Mandalay was 23,877 in June, 25,839 in July, 28,010 in August, 27,486 in September and more than 44,000 in October, according to the Immigration and National Registration Department.
Because of the increase in tourist numbers and a strong dollar, the service sector, tourist places and related businesses are currently enjoying a boom, although parking spaces are insufficient at tourist attractions in the evenings, when most tourists turn up to watch the sunset.
The Mandalay region has 329 hotels and guesthouses with more than 14,000 rooms, according to the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.
