MYANMAR TRAVEL NEWS - August 2014
MYANMAR TRAVEL NEWS - August 2014
E-VISA |
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Online visa from the Myanmar government website will officially be available from September 1, 2014. The visa will take up to five days to process and requires payment by credit card. It is valid only for entry via Yangon International airport though clients may exit the country at any legal port (such as Mandalay etc.) Not all countries are yet eligible for the visa so you will need to check the list, however we expect the list of countries will be increased as time goes on. For any questions please do contact us. info@hghue.com |
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ASEAN Tourism Forum |
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In January 2015, the 34th annual ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) will be held in Myanmar for the first time since its inauguration in 1981. The event will take place from 22 to 29 January at the Myanmar International Convention Center in the capital city of Naypidaw. For those who have not yet visited Myanmar this is an excellent opportunity to do so. To make application as a hosted buyer please visit the website www.atf-2015.com |
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WORLD Heritage Listing for Historic Sites |
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The ancient city-states of Pyu became Burma’s first entry on to the Unesco World Heritage List with three sites securing the endorsement of the World Heritage Committee. The trio of cities; Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra, feature the remains of sites built by the now-extinct Pyu people from the first to ninth centuries AD. At Sri Ksetra, outside the city of Pyay (Prome) in the Pegu Division, the ruins of what was once Southeast Asia’s largest walled city cover an area of about 18 square miles, with the remains of a royal palace at the center. Halin in the Sagaing Division (near ShweBo) and Beikthano, in the Magwe Division likewise include ruins enclosed by the remains of brick fortifications and feature elaborate irrigation systems. The Pyu sites formed one of 15 historical and natural sites in Myanmar on the tentative list for World Heritage status. Other sites for potential World Heritage recognition include Inle Lake, the Myeik Archipelago in Tenasserim Division and Bagan. |
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SHWEDAGON Renovation |
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Beginning the 2nd week of September 2014 and continuing through February 2015, Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon will be undergoing renovations. From around mid-October, the main pagoda will likely be fully covered by scaffolding though the pagoda shape will still be evident. During this period of renovation the pagoda complex will remain open and will still have its usual great ambiance. |
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HOTELS |
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YANGON |
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MANDALAY |
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HPA-AN Hpa-An Lodge is a boutique style lodge being developed near Mt. ZweKa Bin. It will have scenic views and will be a convenient stopping off place for those traveling further south toward Mawlamyine or beyond. There will be 18 individual wooden cottages and the soft opening season is planned for November 2014. There will also be a restaurant serving International and Local Traditional Cuisine to all in-house and walk-in guests. Management is by experienced European staff. |
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AIRLINE |
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ANA Holdings, the parent company of All Nippon Airways (ANA), has withdrawn from a 49 per cent equity investment offer to Asian Wings Airways (AWA). ANA’s board of directors stated: “Competition between new and old airlines in Myanmar has intensified, bringing rapid changes … and calling into question the assumptions made at the time of the original decision.” |
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RIVER Cruises |
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RV Paukan 2014 has been chartered to the US based company HAIMARK Travel for a period of 4 years and traded under the name “RV Irrawaddy Explorer”. It is a brand new deluxe ship with 28 suites and will be operated and managed by Ayravata Cruise Company for HAIMARK. |
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SAILING in The South |
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Burma Boating – slightly more than one year old, Burma Boating has grown to include a flotilla of four elegant sailing yachts. They range in size from 85 to 103 feet in length and they cruise around the islands of Myanmar’s beautiful Mergui Archipelago. The yachts are for charter or for join in on 6 day 5 night cruises. You can sail yourself or they will do it for you. For more information on the yachts see www.burmaboating.com |