The ancient city of Bagan is to be named as one of the world's cultural heritage sites of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Tuesday (today). 

However, President U Win Myint hasn’t stopped there, calling for more cultural sites such as Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Mrauk U in Rakhine state and Padah-Lin Cave in Taunggyi, Shan state to be given the same honour.

The announcement at the 43rd World Heritage Committee of the UNESCO in Azerbaijan on July 6,  came five years after Myanmar's three other ancient Pyu cities, Hanlin, Beikthano and Sri Kestra, won the designation in 2014.

State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi said the ancient civilization of central Myanmar has been an inheritance for the current generation and was also a hub of the diversity of culture, people and ideologies of the world.

Bagan is home to more than 3,000 ancient pagodas and religious edifices, has been in existence for more than 1,000 years.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition transpired 20 years after the city was first nominated. 

Colliers International said the salutation will hopefully benefit the local tourism industry. 

Tthe latest data from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, show that approximately 235,320 local and foreign tourists visited the city during the first four months of 2018. 

“In 2016, Bagan welcomed roughly 488,250 local and foreign visitors. A year after, the statistics climbed to nearly 580,570, up by nearly 20%,” Colliers stated.

“While the data treatment and cataloguing process is still ongoing, the ministry expects the city to have gained more than 700,000 visitors by the end of 2018. In 2020, Colliers expects the arrival figures to further increase by 5-10%.”

The recent achievements is believed to aid tourism and infrastructure to the region such as the renovation plans in Nyaung-U airport. The project is believed to be supported by the Japanese government, which has provided a grant totaling to USD42 million. 

Upon completion, the airport will be able to serve regional flights as it will be equipped with customs and immigration facilities and new security screening. 

Source: Xinhua, Colliers International Myanmar, The UNESCO World Heritage Centre

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