Germany is interested in expanding its tourism businesses in Myanmar, and urged the country to preserve its historical heritage, according to German Minister of State at the Foreign Office.
"German companies have been operating in Myanmar tourism industry. As Germans love to travel a lot, Germany is really interested in expanding the tourism business in Myanmar. However, it would be a lot better if more chances are given to medium-level tourism services and programmes," said Cornelia Pieper, German Minister of State at the Foreign Office.
According to her, German tourists who have made prior arrangements to visit Myanmar have been facing difficulties due to sudden rising prices so it would be better for the tourists if the prices are stable.
As Myanmar has unique cultural heritages, she urged Myanmar to pay attentive care to conserving and restoring its heritages by cooperating with Unesco or other international organisations.
"[Tourists] come to Myanmar because they cherish the unique cultural heritages in Myanmar. I want them to be protected systematically. I'm saying this on behalf of international community," she added.
"Myanmar tourism sector has many potential. Now, more airlines have been operating flights to Myanmar. There is also a direct flight between Myanmar and Germany," said Hans-Michael Linnekuhl, director of TSA-Travel Service Asia.
"There are many advantages as well as weaknesses for tourism development. For example, most hotels often reply that there aren't any vacant rooms when making hotel bookings but we saw vacant rooms when we come and look at them. I believe that there is bad hotel management. Another difficulty is that prices have jumped significantly between last year and this year. Sometimes they jumped by 200 to 300 per cent," he added.
source: eleven media