Executive Summary: "As a result of sweeping political and economic reforms, The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is enjoying unprecedented tourism growth. Between 2011 and 2012, visitor arrivals increased by 29.7% and, for the first time in its history, Myanmar received over 1 million international visitors. Other key drivers of growth include the rapid expansion of scheduled inbound flights, eased tourist visa-on-arrival privileges at gateway airports, improving business and investment conditions, and the growing demand for international travel among regional and long-haul markets. Although Myanmar possesses diverse and extensive cultural, natural, and historic assets, it has only begun to develop its enormous tourism potential. Due to the income- and employment-generating opportunities it creates, tourism is a global industry with special economic significance to developing countries. Consequently, the Government of Myanmar (GOM) has prioritized tourism development in its Framework for Economic and Social Reforms. To help ensure that tourism growth delivers broad and equitable social, economic, and environmental benefits, GOM adopted the Myanmar Responsible Tourism Policy in 2012. The policy is also endorsed by the Myanmar Tourism Federation (MTF), and is highly acclaimed by both civil society and development partners. The vision for tourism in Myanmar, as set out in the Responsible Tourism Policy is ?we intend to use tourism to make Myanmar a better place to live in—to provide more employment and greater business opportunities for all our people, to contribute to the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage and to share with us our rich cultural diversity. We warmly welcome those who appreciate and enjoy our heritage, our way of life, and who travel with respect.? In this context, the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (MOHT)—the agency mandated by GOM to oversee the systematic development of tourism—prepared the Myanmar Tourism Master Plan (the Master Plan). The Master Plan adopts this vision for tourism in Myanmar and the nine aims of the Myanmar Responsible Tourism Policy as its guiding principles. It sets out strategic programs, priority projects, and activities in a long-term implementation framework covering 2013–2020 and a short-term action plan for 2013–2015. The goal of the Master Plan is to maximize tourism?s contribution to national employment and income generation, and ensure that the social and economic benefits of tourism are distributed equitably. Key objectives for each strategic program are listed below."