Myanmar’s tourism sector has a strong potential for growth. Visitor exports generated USD 2, 3 mn (26.4% of total exports) in 2016 and they are expected to increase by 8.3% annually during the 2017-2027 period. The country boasts six main destinations (Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake, Kyaikhto, Mandalay, and Ngapali Beach) which receive the majority of international visitors and benefit the most from tourism revenues.
With its history, fascinating culture and wide array of stunning natural landscapes, Myanmar can easily diversify and widen its tourism offering. There is a clear opportunity for local providers of tourism products and services to increase their income in tourism and tourism-related value chains – both in the most popular and more remote and unknown locations.
Today, Myanmar’s main tourist attractions are becoming saturated and as such the industry needs to alleviate the pressure on these areas. This is an opportunity to focus on developing new destinations within the country and to attract repeated travellers.
