Strand Yangon completes remake

YANGON, 8 September 2017: Yangon’s historic Strand Yangon is now in the final stages of a major renovation that has taken 18 months and will be completed by this November.

The 18-month project should ensure the iconic hotel, located  close the city’s riverfront, can regain its place as one of Southeast Asia’s leading hotels and establish itself as Myanmar’s first luxury urban resort.

In November, the 31-room hotel will open a new outdoor swimming pool, dining terrace, therapy rooms, gym and private garden. Read more

Exchanging urban for rural

HUZHOU, CHINA, 3 August 2017: Interest in Asia’s  rural tourism has spiked in recent years as a growing urban Asian population seek to escape their stressed-filled city life, through a relaxing holidays in the countryside.

Huzhou City, China, partnered with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to host The Second International Rural Tourism Conference last month in Anji County.

During the opening ceremony, PATA chief operating officer, Dale Lawrence, presented the International Rural Tourism Destination Base Award to Anji County Magistrate Chen Yonghua. Read more

Mandalay starts zoning plan

MANDALAY, 17 May 2016: Mandalay City’s Development Committee is working on a new zoning plan to help preserve cultural heritage sites, while making some concessions to commercial, urban development demands.

Irrawaddy media reported the plan will designate eight zones (cultural conservation zones) around the ancient moat and surrounding Mandalay Hill, where new developments will be prohibited.  Other zones will be identified in the city where high-rise buildings and other urban-style developments would be allowed.

The proposal will be submitted to the divisional parliament soon. Read more