Shwedagon breaks tourism record in 2012

Published on Thursday, 03 January 2013 17:43

Foreign tourist arrivals to Myanmar’s Shwedagon Pagoda reached the 300,000 mark in 2012, statistics show.

The number of tourists visiting the Buddhist monument in Yangon has been steadily increasing with 70,000 visitors in 2008, 110,000 in 2009, 170,000 in 2010, 220,000 in 2011.

“Foreign tourist arrivals to the Shwedagon Pagoda are increasing. I think the arrival of local pilgrims and foreign tourists will stay the same,” said Win Kying, head of members of Buddha Trustees office.

In 2013, most of the tourists came from the UK, France, and Russia. Other tourists from 57 countries in Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and other smaller countries also paid homage to the pagoda.

“Since Myanmar has democratised and opened doors to foreign investment, more foreign tourists are entering the country,” a spokesperson the Buddha Trustees office said.

Tourist donations reached over US$1.4 million in 2012.