Official data show that foreign tourist arrivals toMyanmar increased from 791,505 in 2010 to more than 2.04 million in2013. Both the numbers of inbound and outbound tourists are forecast torise this year.
The largest number of visitors toMyanmar came from Thailand . Most popular tourist destinations forThai visitors are Kanbawzathardi Palace in Bago and Kyaikhtiyoepagoda in Mon State .
The Ministry of Hotelsand Tourism announced that the European Council on Tourism and Tradewill grant the "World Best Tourist Destination Award 2014" to Myanmar.
The award is normally awarded based on ethics fortourist industry, safety of tourists and preservation of culturalheritages designated by the United Nations Tourism Division, UnitedNations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) andEuropean Union Council on Tourism and Trade.-VNA