【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. visa /ˈvēzə/ (n.) – document that allows a person to visit another country
Example: He applied for an Australian visa after receiving his passport.
2. boost /bust/ (v.) – to improve the quality or performance of something
Example: Improved tourism can boost a country’s economy.
3. immigration /ˌɪm ɪˈgreɪ ʃən/ (n.) – a place, usually at an airport, where arriving visitors’ travel documents are checked
Example: He spent much time at the immigration due to some passport issues.
4. prohibition /ˌproʊzəˈbɪʃ ən/ (n.) – act of banning something as a part of a rule
Example: Alcohol prohibition at the airport lobby is strictly implemented.
5. draw /drɔ/ (v.) – to get attention
Example: The ad for the country’s beautiful sites helped draw tourists.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Myanmar launched an online visa application system called e-Visa for tourists from selected countries in an effort to boost the country’s tourism.
The e-Visa system plans to encourage higher tourist visits in the country by giving foreigners a faster way to get a visa. Myanmar has listed 67 countries whose citizens can apply for e-Visa.
To get an e-Visa, applicants must visit the website and agree to the conditions set by the immigration. One of which is the prohibition to visit some areas in Myanmar without proper authorization from local officials.
A single-entry or 28-day tourist visa costs $50 and takes five days to be processed. Once approved, the applicant will receive an email with a reference code. The e-Visa can be used within 90 days from the date of approval. Tourists with e-Visa can then go to Myanmar via the Yangon International Airport.
According to Khin Yi, Myanmar’s Minister for Immigration and Population, the website received more than 500 e-Visa applications even before the website’s official launching. He is hopeful that the online system will help draw more visitors.
Myanmar’s plan to launch e-Visa was initially announced in 2012. After a month-long testing period, the site was launched on September 2. With this new initiative, the country expects to continue the growth of its tourism industry. Myanmar’s tourist visits from 2013 were reported at two million. This is an improvement compared with only 300,000 visits in 2010. By 2015, the country expects to have five million tourists in a year.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Do you think Myanmar can achieve its target number of tourists by 2015? Why or why not?
· What problems do you think might the website encounter? Kindly discuss.
Discussion B
· How does tourism help a country’s growth?
· When is the best time for tourists to go to your country? Kindly discuss.