Myanmar has ‘a mountain to climb’ to woo 2 million tourists a year

AI Summary

Myanmar aims to increase tourist arrivals to 2 million annually as part of the junta-led government's efforts to gain global legitimacy. However, widespread civil unrest following the 2021 military coup has severely impacted the tourism sector.

Myanmar’s dream of achieving 2 million tourist arrivals annually – seen to be an effort by the junta-led government to secure global legitimacy – is fraught with hurdles, analysts warn. Authorities have been ramping up efforts to bolster Myanmar’s tourism sector, which fell following the 2021 coup that led to widespread civil unrest across the country. Over 100,000 deaths have been logged since the crisis, according to conflict monitor Armed Conflict Location and Event Data. More than 973,000...