In general, GMS tourism development policies over the last decade have shifted from
simply attracting more tourists and promoting sector growth to a greater emphasis on
environmental protection and social issues. Priorities of earlier GMS national tourism
development policies included (i) contributing to economic development, (ii) promoting the
country and its products in the global marketplace, (iii) enhancing competitiveness in the tourism
sector, and (iv) promoting cooperation with neighboring countries. More recently, specific
priorities have become notably more pro-poor and include (i) managing and protecting the
environment where the poor reside, and (ii) ensuring that tourism benefits are spread to poor
and vulnerable groups.