Thai-Myanmar joint venture to build $250,000 hotel on Hlaing Gu Island off Kawthoung
The government has approved a proposal by Thai-Myanmar joint venture to build a US$250,000 (K346.3 million) hotel project on Hlaing Gu Island off Kawthoung in Tanintharyi Region (close to Ranong, Thailand), the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism has announced, according to the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.
KMOT Company intends to build the project with 20 bungalows under the build-operate-transfer system.
“The Investment Commission has approved the project and we hope to start operations quickly. We expect to be able to host visitors by next year,” said an official with the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism in Kawthoung.
FOR LOTS OF PHOTOS OF Hlaing Gu Island
Currently, there are more than 10 travel agencies operating in Kawthoung and about nine hotels with a total of 500 rooms, according to the directorate.
Most people visit the islands off Kawthoung by motor yachts, which are owned by a Thai national. It’s popular for diving tours, and about 350,000 tourists visit every year, most of them are from Thailand.
“At present, the travelling cost to the Myeik Archipelago is still high. Besides, the area is still in need of tourism infrastructure such as boats, and accommodations for visitor. So, the idea to develop hotels there is good,” said U Myo Aung, owner of a local tour company.
An Italian company was also granted approval to invest in a US$3.2 million joint-venture hotel project in Kawthoung, last August, the directorate says. It is the first Italian company to invest in Myanmar. Fork Island, Tha Ye Island, Kyet Mauk Island, Lampi Island, Nyaung Oo Phee Island, Hlaing Gu Island, Done Waterfall, Bocho Island are among the more popular destinations off Kawthoung, according to tour agencies.
In 2017, more than 330,000 tourists visited Kawthoung, and the number rose to 350,000 in 2018. Last year, the number of visitors dropped to 320,000, according to the statistics from the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration. – Translated
Source: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/thai-myanmar-joint-venture-build-us25000-hotel-kawthoung.html
