Travel style has changed in the post-COVID-19 period, with people travelling even during the rainy season and preferring day trips and short overnight trips, according to U Naung Naung Han, chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.

During the rainy season, people in groups like families and friends travel more to Yangon’s environs as day trips or one-night trips rather than long journeys, he said.

“Many domestic tourists go on day trips. People are a bit reluctant to go on long trips away from Yangon. That’s why they just visit the areas near Yangon.

A lot of people go on day trips and overnight trips near Yangon. This means that they only go out just to get relieved from urban suffocation. They choose safe places to go with their families and friends. Normally, there is less travel during the rainy season, but the travel patterns have changed somewhat since the tourism recovery in the post-COVID-19 pandemic. Although it is raining, they are going to places where they can make a day trip to relax” he said.

The pattern of overcrowded trips in the fine-weather season in the past has been replaced by some group tours during the rainy season to destinations including beaches, he said.

“People used to travel in an overcrowded way only in the open season. Now, it has changed to travelling even in the rainy season. Especially to beaches. Before, there were no travels after Thingyan in April. Normally, eight or nine out of 10 beach hotels were closed from May just before the rainy season to avoid damages due to the weather.

"This year, travel patterns have changed. Visitors are still coming in until June and July. Although the number is not as many as in the open season, the guests are still arriving in groups.

"So, avoiding beach destinations in the rainy season is less common. People are going to beaches amidst rains,” he said.

MT/ZN

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