Myanmar banks on temples to revive tourism

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