Myanmar's Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, along with tourism-related associations and businesses, is working to raise tourism standards to attract Chinese travelers.
A seminar was held in Yangon on Monday to discuss ways to expand Myanmar's Chinese tourism market, and an event was held to launch training programs for the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Myanmar's Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism Thet Thet Khine said at the event that applying the ideas shared in the seminar would help attract more Chinese visitors and strengthen the tourism market.
She added that the seminar and the training programs were organized following discussions between officials from Myanmar's Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, the Myanmar Tourism Federation and Li Qianguo, counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar.
At Monday's seminar, Aung Aye Han, deputy director-general of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, presented strategies for attracting Chinese tourists.
His presentation covered topics such as an overview of Chinese outbound travel, preferences of Chinese travelers, activities they enjoy in Myanmar, and ways to improve their travel experiences.
Key strategies he discussed included digital marketing, collaboration with Chinese influencers, partnerships with Chinese travel agencies, a focus on Chinese-language content, and promoting festivals.
He also suggested steps like providing Mandarin-speaking staff or guides, streamlining visa processes, and enabling platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay to accommodate Chinese tourists.
In terms of food, he recommended creating food-centered travel packages, catering to dietary preferences, ensuring food safety and hygiene, and promoting street food and local markets to appeal to Chinese tastes.
To improve overall travel experiences, Aung Aye Han discussed showcasing local products and unique souvenirs, focusing on high-value goods like gems and jewelry, catering to Chinese shopping habits, and enabling online pre-orders and deliveries.
Aung Aye Han also said, "China remains a lucrative market for Myanmar's tourism industry, especially with increasing demand for cultural and experiential travel."
"Focusing on digital presence, cultural engagement, and catering to the specific needs of Chinese tourists will significantly enhance Myanmar's appeal to this growing market," he added.
During the seminar, Li provided an overview of China's booming tourism market.
Thet Lwin Toh, vice chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Federation, at the seminar also discussed the potential of the Chinese tourism market beyond COVID-19.
He presented facts, figures, and insights on Chinese outbound tourism, including the top destinations for Chinese travelers and recent data on Chinese tourist arrivals in Myanmar.
Thet Lwin Toh said that Chinese tourist arrivals in Myanmar have increased. According to the data he cited from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, China was the top source of visa-entry visitors to Myanmar in 2023, with 102,203 Chinese visitors, accounting for 35 percent of all visa-entry visitors.
A panel discussion, featuring an official from the ministry, a tour operator, a hotelier, and a tour guide, was also held during the seminar to discuss ways to enhance Myanmar's appeal to Chinese tourists.