Amid violent unrest, Myanmar’s military junta hopes to revive tourism
- Junta resumed issuing tourist visas for 100 countries in an effort to help moribund tourism industry. Myanmar’s e-visa system was suspended during the pandemic
- At least 1,906 people have been killed and more than 14,000 people arrested since a military coup in February 2021 according to a human rights group
Even as Myanmar’s military carries out a brutal crackdown on protesters resisting the country’s military coup, the ruling junta is seeking to draw tourists back to the country and promote a stable image internationally.
The military junta has resumed issuing tourist visas for visitors from 100 countries in an effort to help its moribund tourism industry, with an e-visa system for tourists resuming in May, after the system was suspended in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
However European government travel advice remains anything but appealing to potential tourists, with Britain’s Foreign Office noting that curfews and martial law are in place, while “there have been shootings and targeted explosions” in urban areas.
Meanwhile an armed resistance from anti-junta militias across the country is seeking to unseat the military government by force, further adding to the risks for tourists.
At least 1,906 people have been killed and more than 14,000 people arrested since the coup began, according to rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which documents the killings and human rights violations.