Image: Inle Lake is a popular tourist destination

Myanmar President U Thein Sein has announced plans to start the process for restoring the country's membership of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

It follows an official visit of UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai earlier this month, with Rifai pledging to back Myanmar in helping it achieve its "tremendous tourism potential".

UNWTO's long-term forecast - Tourism Towards 2030 – expects the number of international arrivals to the Asia Pacific region to increase from 204 million to 535 million.

Rifai said: "Myanmar is a country abundant in natural and cultural resources, the foundation of any tourism sector.

"UNWTO will lend its expertise in a number of areas, ranging from capacity-building to sustainable tourism practices and travel facilitation, to responsibly develop tourism for the benefit of all."

Sein added: "Tourism is a major sector of the economy not only for Myanmar but also for all countries around the world. It brings benefits to a country, boosts its economy and creates employment opportunities.

"We therefore request that our membership of UNWTO be restored so that we can obtain the relevant knowledge to further promote and develop our tourism sector."

Details: www.unwto.org

Image: Ralf-André Lettau