While the war in the Middle East intensifies and airports in the region either remain closed or operate with limited flights, Myanmar – despite being widely seen as unstable – is aiming to open itself up and attract foreign tourists. The country, sitting at a strategic crossroads between South Asia, Southeast Asia, and China, sees tourism not only as one of the key pillars of its economy, but also as a major driver of cross-border engagement, soft power, and regional cooperation.

Last year, according to Kyaw Bohne Naing, Chairman and President of the Union of Myanmar Travel Association (UMTA), over 1.2 million tourists visited the Southeast Asian nation. Despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which is affecting the global economy, the authorities in Yangon expect to see an even larger influx of visitors this year. In times of global uncertainty, travelers often scale back long-haul plans and focus on destinations closer to home, which is why regional nations – ASEAN members, along with China, India, Japan, and South Korea – currently represent Myanmar’s key tourism markets.

“I am optimistic that the conflict between the United States and Iran will be resolved by mid-May, and that global tourism will quickly return to its upward trajectory. Meanwhile, tourism stakeholders should stay strong and prepare to get back into the sector as recovery starts,” Naing told this........

© Eurasia Review