MYANMAR is looking beyond short-term considerations in promoting its tourism industry, with a focus on benefiting not only travellers but also the people who work in the industry, said leading tourism experts from the government and private sectors.

Myanmar is also concentrating on ensuring that tourism has positive effects on the country’s natural, social and cultural environments, they said.

Thingyan, the traditional Myanmar water festival, is the most exciting and marvelous of all the annual celebrations.

Shwedagon Pagoda, which represents the essence of Myanmar, is a must-visit place for locals and international tourists alike. A trip to Yangon is incomplete without a visit to Shwedagon.

AS the tourism industry continues to develop in Myanmar, more high-quality hotels are opening in leading tourist destinations in the country, including Mandalay, Bagan, Taunggyi and Inle Lake.

LADY is weaving on the veranda of a wooden house set among mountains whose peaks touch the passing clouds and whose slopes are covered with evergreen trees.

HEMMED in by thick jungle on either side and shrouded in soupy fog, the rocky trail rises steeply in front of me. I can see no more than five metres in any direction, and the only sounds I can hear are moisture dripping from the trees, and my own breathing.

DAW Vajiranani has a look of serenity on her face as she speaks of meditation practise. “It takes me away from my troubles, and I can’t describe the peacefulness I get while meditating,” she says.

WITH Myanmar offering an endless variety of holiday destinations to fit any taste and budget – from swanky beach resorts on the Bay of Bengal, to cool mountain retreats in Shan State, to sacred pilgrimage sites throughout the country – it is easy to imagine someone spending a lifetime exploring the country’s travel possibilities without casting a glance beyond the borders.

FINE dining options are endless in Yangon. From the many hotel restaurants to specialty boutique cafes, from European cuisine to traditional Myanmar fare, whatever your heart – or stomach – yearns for, Yangon can serve up.

ANYONE who visits Myanmar and asks a local person what food they should try for an authentic taste of the country will most likely be pointed in the direction of the nearest mohinga vendor.

INTERNATIONAL airlines serving destinations in Myanmar are gearing up for the coming tourist season, with plans to increase the frequency of flights if demand is high enough, said industry sources last week.

THE domestic airline industry in Myanmar has continued to expand since Air Mandalay introduced its service 10 years ago. With the subsequent startup of Yangon Airways in 1996 and the launch of Air Bagan in 2004, travellers can now reach destinations throughout the country more easily than ever before.

MYANMAR has plenty to offer tourists who are looking for attractive souvenirs to take home with them at the end of their vacations.

SHIMMERING blue-green ocean water, untouched forests, huge rocks and cliffs, and beaches of pure white sand are what await visitors to Myeik Archipelago, one of the world’s last great secret destinations.

BIRD watching enthusiasts around the world dedicate much of their time to walking through forests and meadows, or drifting across wetland areas on boats, hoping to catch a glimpse of new species to add to their lists of animals they have spotted.

AS a country that is environmentally diverse and rich in natural resources, Myanmar has the potential to become a major worldwide destination for ecotourism in the coming years. Many travel companies are already attracting tourists by arranging nature-based expeditions that include visits to national parks, mountain trekking and bird watching.

I REALLY love travelling. It’s a nice escape from your daily life. I started travelling when I was five years old. I always take trips with my family. We used to travel once a year, but we can’t travel as much as we like anymore since my sister and I have become young adults and we have to devote our time to our studies. ........

WHEN Ms Juree Setavoraphan moved from Thailand to Myanmar in 1994 to start a new business, the first thing she noticed about the people in her adopted home was their beautiful smiles. .......

LET me first talk about a typical day. I might have to wake up at 4:00 am to make arrangements for the 6:30 am flight to Bagan if there are tourists who want to visit that area. I have to pick them up at the hotel at 4:45 am and then go to the airport and check-in. .......

PACKAGE tours have become increasingly popular in recent years, as busy lifestyles prevent many people from spending too much time planning and arranging their holidays. With meals, accommodation and transportation all taken care of by package tour operators, travellers can sit back and enjoy their vacation without worry.

AS the tourism industry becomes increasingly sophisticated in Myanmar, the range of options for visitors also broadens, from cultural and historical tourism, to ecotourism and adventure travel.