Minister for Hotels and Tourism U Htay Aung has urged tour operators to promote three ancient Pyu cities that were recently awarded World Heritage site status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Sri Ksetra in Bago Region’s Pyay township, Hanlin in Sagaing Region’s Shwebo township and Beikthano in Magwe Region’s Taungdwingyi township were recognised by UNESCO for their unique historical and cultural status on June 22.
The cities, which date from around 200 BC to 900 AD, are the first sites in Myanmar to be inscribed on the list.
“I would kindly ask the travel agents to add [them] in to their trip plans for the coming season,” U Htay Aung told a meeting of operators and hoteliers organised by the Myanmar Tourism Federation.
But some tour operators at the meeting said they will need more detailed information on what tourist-friendly infrastructures exists before they can market the sites.
“At the moment, I don’t know what condition the roads to Beikthano and Hanlin are in. We can’t just prepare the trip plan without knowing the destinations’ situation in detail,” said U Hla Aye, the managing director of Shan Yoma Travel and Tours.
He added that it was up to the tourism ministry and industry bodies to assist tour operators. “[We need information on] the transportation situation, the needs, the do’s and don’t’s in the region before the agents can prepare the trip plan.”
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