More mid-tier hotels needed in Myanmar despite excess inventory

Despite there being a reported oversupply of hotel rooms in Myanmar’s major tourist hubs, hospitality players say there is still room for growth in the mid-tier space, both in the country’s primary and emerging destinations.

Recent years have seen the country’s range of hotels grow from a handful of luxury properties to more diverse offerings catering to the growing tier of international tourists.

Industry players welcome more budget accommodation

According to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, there are 1,648 licensed hotels and guesthouses, offering a total of 66,065 rooms across the country, with a swathe of new developments slated to open in the next two years.

The majority have focused on the luxury market, with a rise in guesthouses and other budget accommodation.

Still, Chu Cee Seng, general manager of Keppel Land Hospitality Management, which owns and manages Sedona Hotel Yangon, said there is still “growing potential” for mid-tier options in Yangon.

Adding more mid-tier options would allow Myanmar to better compete with neighbouring countries and help drive tourism to coastal areas, where currently there are only high-end properties, remarked Su Su Tin, managing director of Exo Travel Myanmar.

Read more...