Sustainable Destination Management
Strategies in the OIC Member Countries
1
Executive Summary
Study Background and Methodology
The rising interest in Multi-Destination Tourism (MDT) is evident in the efforts of international
organizations, as well as regional organizations, to champion and support cooperation between
multiple destinations in the tourism sector. MDT combines assets and attractions from various
destinations to form a “cumulative attraction.” For destinations with similar assets, the array
of experiences within the tourist interest area is expanded, adding to their appeal. For
complementary destinations, they can gain a competitive advantage as a group. The
Development of Multi-Destination Tourism Corridors (MDTCs) could be an essential tool in
fostering cooperation between countries in the area of tourism.
Recognizing the importance and potential of MDTCs for the member states of the Organization
of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), this study aims to provide tourism stakeholders and
policymakers in member states with recommendations to successfully plan, establish, manage
and market MDTCs. To fulfill the study’s objectives, the study used primary and secondary
research tools and sources. The secondary sources used include previous market studies, trade
and sector reports, academic articles and research papers, government, international
organizations, and press publications — the primary research tools were comprised of in-
depth interviews and four case studies.
Tourism Corridor Concept and Typology
Some of the earliest tourism corridors (TCs) of the 19th century were associated with railways
such as “The Orient Express,” enabling tourists to embark on a journey from Paris to Istanbul
in six days, the “Eastern and Oriental Express” journey between Bangkok and Singapore, and
the “Orient Express” journey between Moscow and Beijing.”1 Initially, the concept of corridors
was associated with transport, providing a connection between two or more urban areas using
the most direct and shortest connections channeling economic and social activities.2
The use of the corridor concept started expanding in the 1990s and was adopted by various
types of agencies, including urban planning, public infrastructure, development agencies, and,
eventually, the tourism sector. The link between transport and tourism is evident in the
development of tourism in general and TCs in particular, as evidenced by the development of
the itineraries linked to railways such as the Orient Express. 3 Another important link is present
between corridors and economic cooperation between corridor member countries, with
cooperation in the tourism sector becoming an added area for cooperation, as in the case the
Greater Mekong Subregion TC, which was initially an economic corridor. 4
The concept of a Tourism Corridor is described as “an approach to tourism that offers travelers
the opportunity to visit a variety of built and natural attractions along a themed route.” In the
context of this study, a Multi-Destination Tourism Corridor (MDTC) is defined as a route
represented by a theme covering more than one country. With the launch of UNESCO’s Route
1 Plokhikh R. V., Sakypbek M. A., and Asipova Zh. M. 2018. Cooperation in the field of tourism development according to
«Almaty – Bishkek Corridor Initiative (ABCI)». Technologies оf Business аnd Service. – Vol.4, № 2.
2 Alampay, Ramon Benedicto, and G. Rieder, Ludwig. 2008. Developing Tourism in the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic
Corridors. Journal of Greater Mekong Subregion (4): 59-76.
3 Ibid.
4 Please refer to the Greater Mekong Subregion tourism corridor case study for references and more details.