Tourism Development and Effects of Covid -19 on Tourism in Myanmar
Abstract
Although all tourism attractions would have a positive impact on the local population in
Myanmar, COVID-19 has had a significant negative impact on the tourism industry
globally, and Myanmar is no exception. All commercial flights to Myanmar have been
suspended since April 2020, and domestic flights have also been suspended since early
September. Due to the travel restrictions, this pattern abruptly stopped. Therefore, this
study is to evaluate the economic, social and environmental impact of Tourism industry
and to highlight the impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism industry in Myanmar. Primary
data are collected from (100) stakeholders (tour operators, hoteliers, and other tourism
providers) in the tourism industry in Yangon by using simple random sampling method
through structured questionnaires. This study uses descriptive method to examine the
collected data. The result indicates that tourism is one of the major sources of Myanmar’s
GDP. Since the combined profits from hotels, restaurants, and transportation businesses
that are partially reliant on tourism are substantially greater, at 16% of GDP, this is
anticipated to have a significant influence on the economy. It has also been pointed out
that Myanmar’s tourism industry is mostly dependent on international factors and foreign
tourists. Since 2021, limitations have been loosened as Myanmar has been able to control
the COVID-19 virus. The study's findings indicate that the COVID-19 outbreak has had
a detrimental economic and social impact on Myanmar's tourism sector. Financial loss, a
decline in customer demand on an international and national level, disruptions in the
distribution system, and ruined connections with suppliers, customers, and employees
are just a few examples of economic repercussions. Among the business owners, the
social impact included depression, annoyance, anxiety, and tension due to the current and
potential future circumstances. Overall analyses suggest that building the capacity of
stakeholders and encourage public-private partnership activities in order to develop and
manage future tourism sector.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.47256/ijt.v2i1.247
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