Myanmar’s military-backed government is betting on tourism to signal economic recovery, with ancient temples, luxury hotels and Buddhist pilgrimage sites at the heart of its push.

Officials aim to nearly double foreign arrivals to 1.8 million in 2026, easing visa rules and targeting visitors from China and Thailand. The country welcomed just under one million travellers in 2025, far below the 4.7 million who came in 2015 before the coup and subsequent civil war.

“We mainly expect to see a surge in Chinese and Thai visitors,” said Maung Maung Kyaw, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Hotels, Tourism and Culture. Chinese arrivals rose 12 per cent in the first five months of this year, while Thai arrivals increased 7 per cent.

The government has expanded visa-on-arrival for travellers from China, India, Japan and South Korea, while most Southeast Asian citizens already enjoy visa-free entry. Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake and the Golden Rock Pagoda remain the main draws.

Since taking office in April, President Min Aung Hlaing has sought to rebuild ties with neighbours, including visits to China and India. Thailand has also re-engaged, with its foreign minister visiting in April and popular Thai influencers filming in Yangon.

Tour operators report renewed interest from Europe, the US and India despite limited flights. Luxury hotels in Yangon say occupancy has risen about 10 per cent since the election, driven by business travellers, pilgrimage groups and investors.

Western governments continue to warn against travel, with the US maintaining a “Do Not Travel” advisory. Yet official figures show American arrivals up 17 per cent through May. Some visitors, like Texan Liam Martinez, say they feel safe despite the headlines.

Even if Myanmar meets its 2026 target, its tourism numbers will remain modest compared with Thailand’s 33 million visitors. But for a country emerging from years of isolation, the revival of temples and pilgrimage routes is seen as a crucial step towards restoring confidence.

-2026-07-07

Burma, the dark horse of South East Asia, the 'new Cambodia.' Its time will come.

Don't believe the Western MSM fear mongering.

7 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

Burma, the dark horse of South East Asia, the 'new Cambodia.' Its time will come.

Don't believe the Western MSM fear mongering.

Its not fear its whether you want tourist cash to end up in govt coffers or those of its lackeys.

Ha! The nation does have extraordinary temples and Bagan is one of the most incredible places I've ever visited from a standpoint of archeology, Burma just doesn't have much hope of attracting tourism at this point, until the ridiculously toxic government surrenders to the people and goes into much deserved exile, is executed, or is imprisoned.

As long as people know their tourism money will go to the military dictatorship, I hope that people don't hurry to visit.

It's always the same with these coup d'etat. They do it for the money 💰

10 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Ha! The nation does have extraordinary temples and Bagan is one of the most incredible places I've ever visited from a standpoint of archeology, Burma just doesn't have much hope of attracting tourism at this point, until the ridiculously toxic government surrenders to the people and goes into much deserved exile, is executed, or is imprisoned.

During the short period of democracy, I visited Bagan and, as you quite rightly said, a most incredible place with so many temples as far as the eye could see. I travelled by cruise boat from Mandalay along the Irrawaddy River - that in itself was also fantastic. My other memory was my hotel in Bagan. 4star luxury including dinner and full breakfast the next morning for just 40 US$ per night. It was owned by a Burmese General but prior to the coup. I also remember horse drawn carriages and hot air balloons for the tourists.

On 7/7/2026 at 7:39 PM, Woke to Sounds said:

Burma, the dark horse of South East Asia, the 'new Cambodia.' Its time will come.

Don't believe the Western MSM fear mongering.

It was doing very well before the despised military took over, locked up Ang San su ki, and murdered their own innocent civilians, even children. They have robbed and plundered the mines locked up and killed innocent protesters. Youths.

I went many times until Covid and loved the country and the people .

I would be the first person to go to Burma if there was no more dictator and voting was allowed.

16 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Burma just doesn't have much hope of attracting tourism at this point, until the ridiculously toxic government surrenders to the people and goes into much deserved exile, is executed, or is imprisoned.

Sort of like visiting USA then ?

Except you're wrong as usual.

Keep your pathetic fear mongering in your tiny little head and let the free spirits travel and see the world.

made 7 trips between 2014 and 2018, each around weeks. travelled thru much of the country by
plane, boat, bus & motorcycle. In many places didn't see another white face for days at a time ( longest was 10 days travelling down the chindwin river)

wont be going back till the junta allows free elections

photos of the trips
https://phuket.zenfolio.com/f125862719

ON TA
Travel advisory
It is currently recommended to avoid all non-essential travel to this area.https://static.tacdn.com/assets/s/bf026169.pngPowered Riskline

Edited July 21Jul 21 by zzzzz

18 hours ago, zzzzz said:

made 7 trips between 2014 and 2018, each around weeks. travelled thru much of the country by
plane, boat, bus & motorcycle. In many places didn't see another white face for days at a time ( longest was 10 days travelling down the chindwin river)

wont be going back till the junta allows free elections

photos of the trips
https://phuket.zenfolio.com/f125862719

ON TA
Travel advisory
It is currently recommended to avoid all non-essential travel to this area.https://static.tacdn.com/assets/s/bf026169.pngPowered Riskline

Thanks for the nice photos, they brought back many happy memories for me during my travels in Burma during the short period of peace and democracy.