COMCEC Tourism Outlook-2019
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Similarly, the policy recommendations of the 8th Meeting of the Tourism Working Group on
“Muslim Friendly Tourism (MFT): Developing and Marketing MFT Products and Services in the
OIC Countries” was submitted to the 32nd Session of the COMCEC held on 21-24 November 2016
in İstanbul. Following policy recommendations were suggested as the out outcome of the
meetings, discussions as well as the analytical studies:
 Developing a national Muslim Friendly Tourism strategy that links to the country’s
overall tourism goals through focusing on building stakeholder awareness, establishing
a dedicated MFT body/committee and developing a national MFT products/services
and marketing development strategy.
 Conducting government-led MFT-focused destinationmarketing through developing an
MFT branding and positioning for the benefit of local service providers and measuring
the potential of a destination for MFT by funding/organizing short-term campaigns.
 Supporting SMEs through developing training and mentorship programs.
 Developing bilateral tourism cooperation within the OIC through technical knowledge
exchange and joint promotion efforts for MFT destinations.
The 9th Meeting of the TourismWorking Group on “Muslim Friendly Tourism (MFT): Regulating
Accommodation Establishments in the OIC Member Countries.” After the analytical report was
presented, member countries, representatives of international organizations and private sector
also shared their experiences. Various policy recommendations were suggested based on the
discussion:
 Definition and standardization of certification of MFT facilities along the tourism
industry.
 Developing a MFT strategy at the destination and offering incentives for MFT services
and investments.
 Improving international cooperation on MFT certification on different requirements of
MFT standards and appointing an authority responsible for MFT certification both at
national and international levels.
The 10th Meeting of the COMCEC TourismWorking Group was held on September 21st, 2017 in
Ankara, Turkey with the theme of “Risk and Crisis Management in Tourism Sector: Recovery
from Crisis in the OIC Member Countries”. The Meeting has considered the Studies "Risk and
Crises Management in Tourism in the OIC Member Countries" commissioned by the COMCEC
Coordination Office and the "COMCEC Tourism Outlook 2017" prepared by the COMCEC
Coordination Office. Following policy recommendations were suggested as the out outcome of
the meetings, discussions as well as the analytical studies:
 Recognizing and identifying threats and risks, planning scenarios for each of the likely
threats, establishing crises management processes and recovery task force during pre-
crises periods.
 Preparing national crises management strategies and contingency plans and
communicate these with the tourism industry stakeholders.
 Diversifying products and market portfolio in order to expand the portfolio and target
less sensitive markets.
The 11th Meeting of the COMCEC Tourism Working Group was held on February 15th, 2018 in
Ankara, Turkey with the theme of “Destination Development and Institutionalization