" Myeik Archipelago waiting for adventurers and explorers "

" Myeik Archipelago waiting for adventurers and explorers "

= Kan Htoo =

Myeik Archipelago, the newest tourist spot in Myanmar, lies in southernmost part of the country and is in Tanintharyi Region. The archipelago covers approximately 36000 sq km (14000 sq miles)  and consists approximately 800 islands, which vary in size from very small to hundreds of square kilometers.

Of more than 800 islands, 22 are permitted for visit of foreigners and 16 are prohibited.

Some estimates say that there can be as many as 1000 islands in the area. The biggest one is King Island which covers an area of 440000 hectares.

Some islands are of lime and stretches as long as hundreds of meters. Ediblenest swiftlets, whose nests are used to make bird’s nest soup, make those islands their home.

An island in the archipelago produces quality marble stones.

Salons are the only human inhabitants living in the area. They are widely known for their ability to stay underwater for long time and are therefore called sea gypsies. They still practice the same fishing and boat building techniques used for generation.

In February 2014, Salon Festival was held in Lambi Island, one of the largest islands in archipelago. In a Salon Island near Kawthoung is a dolphin breeding station where dolphins are being trained to attract foreign tourists.

Unspoiled areas and uninhabited beaches of the archipelago are waiting for adventurers to explore while the Salon people way of life is a fascinating book to read and witness.

Myanmar receives benefits from its geographical position, standing as a transit trade center on the map of globetrotters. 

The archipelago was opened up for foreign tourism in 1997 and marine tourism has developed since then.

Ministry of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, INGOs, locals and tour operators for sustainable development of the archipelago which has potential to become next tourism hot-spot in Myanmar.

At a recent workshop held in Kawthoung focused on conservation of coral reefs, improving garbage collection at islands, and ensuring benefits from tourism for locals.

At present, Myeik Archipelago receives travelers who drop in there after visiting Phuket Island, a famous island resort in Thailand adjacent to Myanmar waters.

A total of 3 million globetrotters visited Myanmar in 2014 and up to 5 million visitors are expected to come and visit Myanmar in 2015. Standing in splendid isolation, Myeik Archipelago is open for exploration as the new tourism spot in Myanmar waters.

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