On October 1, Myanmar granted visa-on-arrival to tourists from six countries - Australia, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain and Switzerland with access to enter Myanmar through Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw International Airports for a fee of US$50 each. Passport holders from those six countries will no longer require pre-arranged approval.

“We hope the new regulations to ease access to Myanmar will lead to more travelers from around the world,” said Daw May Myat Mon Win, chair of the Myanmar Tourism Marketing Association.

Visitors from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Macau were granted visa-free entry last year. Indian and mainland Chinese nationals were also granted visas-on-arrival into Myanmar in a move to draw more Asian visitors to the country. As a result, Asian tourists to Myanmar have risen this year.

“We must continue our efforts to promote Myanmar as a tourism destination as we are also competing with Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia,” added Daw May Myat Mon Win.

Source: The Myanmar Time, The Thaiger