YANGON—The Yangon Hotel Expo 2019 will be held in October with the aim of boosting business opportunities in Myanmar’s hotel and tourism sectors. The event will highlight elements of Yangon’s past from the perspective of the present under the theme “Yangon Then and Now”.
The event will be hosted by the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Yangon Zone) with support from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and the Yangon Region government. The event will be organized by Fill In Company Ltd.
“Yangon Expo 2019 will be a one-stop shop for promoting and exchanging business ideas among hoteliers, investors and tour operators in Yangon,” said U Tun Myint, chairman of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association at a press conference on June 25 at the Wyndham Grand Yangon Hotel.
He added, “Travelers are coming through Yangon International Airport but they only spend one day in Yangon. We need to create innovative attractions to highlight Yangon’s historic and famous places, recreation spots and shopping areas, and should promote them to persuade travelers to spend more time in Yangon.”
Organizers plan to invite international businesses to join the event.
“The main objective of the event is to boost the development of Yangon and hopefully make it a better place to stay for everybody,” said Ma Lei Yee Naing, creative director at Fill In Company.
“Yangon combines a fascinating history with modern development and change. There are many more [potential tourist places] to explore. Yangon is changing. We need continuous innovation while preserving Myanmar’s values.”
That is what they want to highlight at the Yangon Hotel Expo 2019, she said.
The event will run from October 18-20 at Myanmar Expo on Min Nandar Road in Yangon’s Thaketa Township.
The event will highlight curated city tours and other attractions that offer tourists a taste of Yangon and a sample of its hidden treasures, such as walking foodies tour. Various forums will allow participants to get acquainted with Yangon, and cultural performances will also be put on. Kiosks will be set up to provide information on all of these themes.
“The regional government is committed to developing Yangon as a Smart City to meet international standards. It has already changed remarkably,” said Daw Naw Pan Thinzar Myo, the Yangon regional minister of Karen ethnic affairs.
She added, “We plan to make Yangon a better urban environment in which to live, work and play; it will be more than a commercial city, with a better public transportation system, public parks, modern cinemas and shopping centers. The government still has more to do and we are committed to bringing better living standards to the people of Yangon. I believe that it will be a destination for travelers as well. So, Yangon will be a commercial hub as well as a better place to stay for both locals and travelers.”
The expo will be open from 9am to 11pm to accommodate people who are busy with work and school, she said.
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