Myanmar is set to offer visas on arrival to Chinese and Indian tourists in an effort to attract foreign visitors and boost the country's struggling economy. The one-year trial scheme will be announced soon, according to the junta's immigration ministry.

Under the new scheme, holders of these visas will be permitted to visit all sites in Myanmar, except for restricted areas due to security concerns. Currently, Chinese and Indian citizens must apply for a tourist visa online or at a Myanmar embassy. However, with this new initiative, the process will be simplified, allowing more tourists from these countries to visit Myanmar.

The move comes as the ruling junta faces challenges in crushing opposition to its 2021 coup and admits to lacking full control over certain parts of the country. The military-led government's efforts to attract foreign tourists also extend to Russia.

The junta's tourism ministry is working to attract travelers from Russia, a significant ally and arms supplier. As part of this effort, direct flights between Myanmar and Russia's Novosibirsk have recently begun. Additionally, plans are underway to enable the use of Russia's Mir cards for direct payments, further facilitating tourism between the two countries.

Myanmar initially opened up its borders to tourists in 2011 after decades of military rule, gaining popularity among travelers. However, the country closed its borders during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent coup, leading to a sharp decline in visitors.

The ongoing conflict and the military's violent crackdown on dissent have also resulted in countries such as the United States and Australia advising their citizens against traveling to Myanmar. The troubled economy has further deteriorated, with the local kyat currency plummeting against the dollar.

Major cities have been plagued by rolling power outages, causing difficulties in accessing ATMs and foreign exchange counters. By offering visas on arrival and seeking to strengthen ties with key countries like China, India, and Russia, Myanmar hopes to attract tourists and revive its tourism industry, which has been severely impacted by recent events.