The Myanmar Government has introduced new regulations to facilitate easier access for foreign tourists and arriving superyachts as another step towards opening up the country to the world.
Located in the Andaman Sea off the coast of southern Myanmar the Mergui Archipelago is home to 800 islands, lagoons, atolls and coral reefs. The archipelago has been off-limits to visitors for decades. The islands are now accessible to limited sustainable visitors.
Starting from October 1st 2019, tourists from the six western countries of Australia, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain and Switzerland can enter Myanmar on visa-on-arrival (VOA) at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw International Airports report the Thaiger and The Nation media.
Pre-arrangement is not required for passport holders of the above six countries and visitors or their superyacht agent can simply apply for a visa for a fee of US$50 each. Visitors from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Macau were granted visa-free entry last year and Indian and mainland Chinese nationals were also granted visa-on-arrival into Myanmar in a move to draw more Asian visitors to the country.
“We hope the new regulation will lead to more foreign travellers to Myanmar, to discover the country’s unique culture and most of all, the hospitality of its people,” said May Myat Mon Win, Chairperson of Myanmar Tourism Marketing. The Myanmar Government is introducing new regulations to facilitate easier access as another step towards opening up the country to the world.
Gordon Fernandes, heading up Asia Pacific Superyachts Myanmar, reports: “The new regulations will help bring more superyachts to Myanmar. Phuket, with its excellent marinas and vibrant island life, is used by many as a base for the yachting season (November to April) when planning a voyage on to Myanmar”. Departing the Asia Superyacht Hub of Phuket, vessels can journey to the entrance of southern province of Myanmar, the border town of Kawthaung.
“This is also the high season for visiting the Myeik (Mergui) Archipelago in Myanmar with December to March offering the most beautiful and comfortable conditions – warm, sunny weather, steady winds and calm seas”, adding: “There is less wind and higher temperatures in March and April, however – this also makes for clearer waters and best time for diving and snorkelling among the extraordinary hundreds of uninhabited islands”.
Entering Kawthaung, you are literally at the gateway to the vast and beautiful Mergui Archipelago, one of the world’s last paradises. Only a few places on earth can match the untamed wilderness and primal seclusion of this incredible archipelago.