COMCEC Tourism Outlook-2019
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Trans-Saharan Trail
Based on the old Trans-Saharan trade
routes, this tourism corridor connects
northern African countries with the
Sub-Saharan OIC countries. With a
strong associationwith caravans and
deserts, this corridor can have a
strong message and branding.
Ibn Battuta’s Eastern
Journey
Ibn Battuta is one of the most
distinguishedMuslim explorers
and travelers. Born inMorocco in
the 13th century, he visited most of
the Islamic world, including Central
Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia,
and China. This corridor could have
a strong branding once formalized
and become part of the UNWTO
Maritime Silk Road. It might be
recommended to include China into
this corridor to benefit from its
strong economic muscle and travel
market.
The details of suggested tourism corridors as well as developing, marketing and management
strategies, tactics and actions are to be presented during the 14th Meeting of the COMCEC
Tourism Working Group in September, 2019. In the analytical report, it is expected that these
recommendations will be elaborated for the member countries and offer solutions and
implementation for improving both volume and quality of tourism activity.
6 Importance of Tourism Cooperation in the Member Countries
6.1 Tourism Potentials & Obstacles Faced in the Tourism Development and
Cooperation in the Member Countries
OIC Member Countries have potential for the development of a sustainable international
tourism sector with rich and diverse natural, geographical, historical and cultural heritage
assets. OIC Member Countries’ performances in tourism sector indicate that the share of the
Member Countries in the global tourism sector is behind full potential and there is still a great
deal of scope for realizing their full capacity.
It is acknowledged that both established and new destinations need to plan and create the
adequate conditions and policies with regard to:
• Business environment
• Infrastructure
• Travel Facilitation
 Marketing