Due to the collapse of the tourism business, "almost half" of Yangon's hotels have closed, according to a junta official

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Those that have remained open are eking out a living by lodging long-term visitors or providing Covid-19 quarantine services.

 

According to estimates released by the junta's tourism ministry, nearly half of Yangon's hotels have closed due to a near-total collapse of Myanmar's tourism business.

The combined impact of the Covid-19 outbreak and the military's February 1 coup has wreaked havoc on the sector.

According to Nyo Aye, the director of the ministry's Yangon office, 225 of the 483 hotels registered in the former capital have now closed their doors.

 

Many tourism businesses around the world are cautiously optimistic about a rebound as vaccines are implemented, and Thailand and Vietnam have established experimental initiatives to welcome vaccinated visitors.

However, the coup's instability and widespread warfare have dashed hopes that Myanmar will be able to follow in the footsteps of its regional neighbours.

The hotel closures would only be temporary, according to Nyo Aye, who made no mention of the military's power grab in his assessment of the matter.

 

“Nearly half of the hotels had to close due to excessive operating costs and a lack of customers.
“Once the guests return, they will reopen,” he told Myanmar Now.

Those hotels that have remained open have done so by downsizing and cutting costs while also offering quarantine services for individuals returning to Myanmar on rescue flights, according to him.

He claimed that all but seven of Yangon's nearly 3,000 tour operators have closed their doors.

 

Among the hotel closures is the five-star Sule Shangri-La, which announced its closure soon before the January coup that it would be closed for nine months.

The Sedona Hotel is still available to present guests, but no new guests are being accepted, and meal services have been ceased.

The luxurious Chatrium Hotel's general manager, May Myat Mon Win, said her hotel is still accommodating some long-stay and local guests, as well as those returning from abroad on relief flights.

 

“We have generated very little to no profit throughout this time,” she explained, “but we don't want to give up just yet since we feel a hotel can make a significant contribution to the community.”
“As a result, we will continue to operate.”

Because of the presence of multinational firms in Yangon, there is still some business for hotels, she said, adding that hotels in tourist hubs like Inle Lake and Bagan have fared even worse.

According to a staff member at the Lotte Hotel near Inya Lake in Yangon, the hotel has remained operational by providing services to employees of firms directly affiliated with its parent corporation.