Myanmar’s Ministry of Hotels and Tourism reports an over 50 percent drop in tourist arrivals for 2024 in light of ongoing political instability.

As of 30 September, over 470,000 foreign arrivals made their way to Myanmar this year, falling from the 900,000 seen in the same period in 2023.

This is despite the junta’s ongoing efforts to revive foreign tourism by attracting tourists from countries with which it has good relations, such as China, Russia, and Thailand through measures like relaxed visa requirements.

Myanmar’s predicament is a stark contrast to the way tourist arrival numbers are rising in neighbouring countries following their post-pandemic reopening.

Conflict remains a deterrent to travellers

Tourist arrivals in Myanmar remain low due to the ongoing civil war, though high airfares to the region as well as political and security concerns remain contributing factors.

It has not helped that other countries have advised their nationals to keep away from Myanmar, causing a significant drop in arrivals numbers year-on-year.

Nepal issued a travel advisory warning its citizens not to visit Myanmar, as well as Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand on 23rd December, citing risk of human trafficking.

Earlier this month, on 7th December, the British Foreign Office issued a travel alert advising its citizens not to travel to 68 countries, including Myanmar.