Tourism industry booming in Mandalay in December

Tourist arrivals have increased in Mandalay due partly to the addition of more Mandalay-Bangkok-Yangon flights and more direct flights between Mandalay and Hong Kong in December.
Adding to the burgeoning popularity of central Myanmar is the allowance since September for foreign tourists to enter Myanmar through border entrances with an evisa, available online.
Tourists from 40 countries, including ASEAN countries, have been allowed to enter the country using the online visa system since 8 November, 2015.
By ground transport, tourists can enter Mandalay by car, motorbike and bicycle via border entrances.
Tourist arrivals from January 2015 to November reached 164,520, and from January to November the number rose to 263,145.
Foreign tourists come from China, India, Singapore, Viet Nam, Japan, Austria, New Zealand, Britain, USA, France, Italy and Germany.
The majority of foreign tourists come to Mandalay from neighbouring countries such as China, India, Singapore and Viet Nam.
Between January and November, the number of tourists who visited the cultural zones of Mandalay, Bagan, Innwa and Pyin Oo Lwin rose to 318,597.
The Hotels & Transport Supervision Department under The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism estimates the total number of tourist visits will rise to 4 million in 2016.
The ministry said tourists visiting Mandalay like riding on bicycles, motorbikes and trishaws to explore downtown  Mandalay.—Maung Pyi Thu (Mandalay)