With the expectation of more tourists flocking to Mon state, ministers held a workshop to discuss initiatives to develop the hotel sectors of the state. One of two border crossings from Thailand may be open for tourist as early as September.
The Mae Sot-Myawaddy border is expected to open this fall. The Mon state minister also expressed interest in the Three Pagodas opening up soon.
Dr. Min Nwe Soe, the Mon State Minister of Planning and Economics discussed the development of hotels, tourism and tourist zone projects to be implemented in the state by 2015, during the recent workshop at Shwe Myint Mo Tun Hotel, in Mon state capital Moulmein.
The workshop attracted about 70 people including; the Chief Minister, Vice-Minister of Hotels and Tourism Dr. Tin Shwe, several other government ministers, hotel and tourism businessmen and others with vested interests.
Dr. Min Nwe Soe said to develop new tourist attractions; service charges would be reduced to assist in the creation of new hotels, heritage sites and recreational areas to support the growing infrastructure.
Although it is believed that the state hosted more tourists this year, the exact numbers was not discussed at the meeting, according to workshop participant Ko Min Min Nwe.
“At the moment, tourists travel to Mon state from Yangon [Rangoon]. They predict that the tourists can later travel to here from Three Pagodas Pass (TPP) and Myawaddy,” said Ko Min Min Nwe.
Earlier in the month, the state government received a proposal from the Thai IMAC Company for the construction of several hotels, a shopping center and a children’s’ playground in Thanlwin Park; all in Moulmein.
The IMAC Company suggested that the government upgrade the Moulmein’s Airport to handle the increased traffic that will occur when Thai Nok airline starts offering flights from Mae Sot in the Fall. They also suggested the construction of standard hotels near the Moulmein Golf Club.
Other initiatives to build up Mon state tourist infrastructure included Community Based Tourism (CBT) training for about 100 Mottama Town residents in Thaton District in 2nd week of May. The training was designed to enable locals to become tour guides.
In January 2013, businessmen from Rangoon and Mon state met to discuss ways to promote and implement new tourism projects. Discussions also included improvements on the Myawaddy to Pa-an highway, and the old main road in Sangkhlaburi in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand in an effort to attract more tourists.
