COMCEC Tourism Outlook-2018

Figure 0.7 Top 10 OIC Tourism Destinations in International Tourism Receipts in 2016

(Million US $)

Source: UNWTO, Tourism Highlights 2017

As in the case of OIC tourist arrivals, the Figure 4.7 indicates that tourism receipts in the OIC

countries are concentrated in a small number of countries, almost the same countries of the

main COMCEC tourist destinations. The remaining OIC Member Countries’ tourist arrivals and

tourism receipts data are given in Appendix (Table 1 and Table 2) most OIC member statistics

are not yet available for 2017.

Turkey hosted 39.5 million tourists in 2015. Because of the recent developments, terrorist

activity and attempted coup, the country has suffered in terms of inbound arrivals in 2015 and

2016. Necessary measures are taken by the government in order to recover from the decrease

in tourist arrivals. Almost 25% of the arrivals were lost in 2016 in Turkey which had 31 million

arrivals. Signs of recovery in 2017 (39 million arrivals) and beginning of 2018 is evident

concerning arrivals. UAE recorded and increase from 10 million to almost 16 million in 2017.

Malaysia also recorded a slight increase. Malaysia introduced online visa applications for its

major markets. Awareness of the country's many attractions is improving and international

transport connections are expanding, making Malaysia much more accessible to potential

visitors. As number of visitors to Malaysia increases over time, it is expected that investment in

the hotel and accommodation sector will expand. Moreover, Malaysia Airlines and Emirates

Airlines are launching a widespread code-share partnership in 2016, expanding Malaysia

Airlines' access to European destinations and Emirates' access to various destinations in Asia

(BMI Research, 2016). 2017 arrivals reached almost 26 million for Malaysia.

Saudi Arabia reported a slight increase in 2016. Following the tragic loss of life in the September

2015 stampede during a Hajj ritual outside of Mecca, the government, having come under

significant international criticism for its handling of the event, has committed to major

investments in transport, safety and accommodation infrastructure in order to support the rapid

expected expansion in international arrivals each year for religious pilgrimage. The government

21.956

19.946

18.074

11.096 10.761 10.332

6.857

5.441

4.044

2.645