U Yan Win said the income from the tax would be utilised to develop tourist infrastructure and fund the federation’s advertising campaigns. He carried on by saying agreement had been reached with the Tourism Ministry and hotels organisations and the plan would be submitted to the government for final approval.
Win added that he thought it would be another six months before the State Counsellor gave the green light and after this it would be applied to all international visitors coming to Myanmar. He justified the introduction of the tourism surcharge with the explanation other countries levied similar taxes.
After decades of isolation Myanmar is slowly regaining its position on the Southeast Asian tourism trail. The 12GO ASIA travel team says historic Mandalay, the temples of Bagan, bustling Yangon and the beaches of Ngapali are among the top attractions in the country.
Myanmar to introduce daily tax on tourists
News in Asia
Myanmar’s tourist division has announced a proposal to start collecting tax from tourists for every day they spend in-country. The chairperson of the Myanmar Tourism Federation told reporters that a US$1 surcharge would be added to room rates at resorts, hotels and guest houses.