After the permission to travel from four Myanmar-Thai border entrances/ exists has effect on 28th August, it is planned to open the tour guide training courses in Myawaddy.
U HtayAung, Union Minster of Hotels & tourism said: “The tour guide training course will be opening. It takes between 8 weeks and 10 weeks for a course and the trainees are required. The courses are launching in Mogkok. It will be opened in Kayar State soon. Especially, the trainees should be high school graduates. But it is very difficult to get the high school graduate in border areas. So the people who can speak English or Thai are accepted.”
It is not allowed legally to bring the foreign tour guides in both Myanmar and ASEAN countries. Only local tour guides have the rights to explain and accompany with the tourists.
In comparison with Thailand, Thai Tourism Industry is 20 times of Myanmar’s and it is expected that tourist arrivals will be up to two million in this year.
Minister of Security and Border Affairs, Col Aung Lwin, said that the government is arranging for the convenience of entry and exist of the tourists through Myawaddy border check point and trying to provide the safety and necessary helps for the tourists. The public also need to maintain the dignity of the state. It is very important to promote the standard of hotels, motels and inns.
REF: DAILY ELEVEN, 30-8-2013
Source: The Traveller Journal