16-9-2023 (YANGON) In an effort to revive its tourism industry and attract foreign visitors and their economic contributions, Myanmar’s ruling junta has announced that Chinese and Indian tourists will soon be granted visas on arrival. The Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Thursday that the start date for the one-year trial scheme will be disclosed in the near future, as confirmed by the junta’s immigration ministry.
According to the report, visa holders will be permitted to visit all sites in Myanmar, except for restricted areas due to security concerns. Presently, citizens from both China and India are required to apply for a tourist visa either online or at a Myanmar embassy in their respective countries of origin.
The military regime is currently grappling with opposition to its 2021 coup and has acknowledged that it does not have complete control over certain regions of the country. Consequently, countries like the United States and Australia have advised their citizens against traveling to Myanmar due to the ongoing conflict.
China and India, which share extensive and permeable borders with Myanmar, have maintained connections with the isolated generals following the coup. In addition to this visa initiative, the junta’s tourism ministry is actively working on attracting travelers from Russia, another significant ally and arms supplier.
Earlier this month, the national carrier of Myanmar commenced direct flights to Novosibirsk, Russia, signaling the junta’s efforts to strengthen ties. Furthermore, plans are underway to enable the use of Russia’s Mir cards for direct payments within Myanmar.
Myanmar had opened its doors to tourists in 2011 after decades of military rule, and it quickly became a popular destination among travelers. However, the country closed its borders during the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent coup, resulting in a decline in visitors. The brutal crackdown on dissent further deterred tourists from visiting the nation.
