The military council has left out the ancient Rakhinecapital city of Mrauk U from the list of tourist destinations in Myanmar in thenext season.

Recently, the hotels and tourism ministry announced 14priority areas for domestic and foreign tourists to visit including Kyauk Phyu, Ngapali beach, Man Aung of RakhineState, but Mrauk Oo is excludedfrom the list, even though the ancient city always attracts local and foreigntourists.

Other areas included in the list to touristdestinations include Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin, Bagan, Kalaw/Taunggyi, Inlay, Kawthaung, Putao, Ngwe Saung and ChaungThar across the country.

Besides Mrauk U, which is an ancient Rakhine culturalheritage area, Kyauk Taw region (where the mighty Maha Muni pagoda is located)is also kept outside the preferred list of popular places.

A local woman, who wanted anonymity, informedNarinjara News that the omission was seemingly done because of politicalinstability and post-Mocha situation.

"It may be because fighting often breaks out innorthern Rakhine areas. Moreover, the authority remains helpless on restoringthe areas after the cyclonic storm.

A woman worker, based in Man Aung locality, expressedher happiness over the list as her area is in the list of preferreddestinations. She admitted that one needs to get the permission to fly to ManAung from other places.

"We are happy that Man Aung is among the placesof tourist interest. But the junta must allow regular flights from Yangon andSittwe.  Since April 2021, the aircommunication to Man Aung has been stopped by the junta,” she added.

Mentionable is that Man Aung Island is a verybeautiful and peaceful area of the Rakhine region. But the travel restrictionand erratic power supply always discourage the travelers.

Last year, 260 foreign and 15,917  domestictourists from Burma visited Rakhine State from 9 to 17 April during Thingyancelebrations.

A total of 751,216 international tourists visitedMyanmar this year (till the end of August), but the military council was expecting more tourists from Chinaand India in this season. Hence, the authorities have allowed the citizensof Chinaand India to enjoy the facility of visa on arrival in Myanmar.