COMCEC Tourism Outlook-2018
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 Building and Strengthening a Skilled Workforce on ICT-Based TourismMarketing in the
Member Countries.
 Enhancing cooperation between the government and private sector on ICT usage and
diffusion in tourism marketing.
 Developing comprehensive and effective digital marketing strategies in the Member
Countries.
7th Meeting of the Tourism Working Group was held on 4 February 2016 with the theme of
“Muslim Friendly Tourism: Understanding the Demand and Supply Sides in the OIC Member
Countries”. The Tourism Working Group provided the opportunity to thoroughly discuss the
main concepts and the general overview of Muslim-friendly tourism from a policy perspective.
In line with the recommendations of the analytical study, as well as the responses of the Member
Countries to the policy questions that were circulated before the Meeting, the Working Group
put forward the following policy recommendations:
 Developing basic guidelines for improving the basic MFT-related services.
 Increasing awareness about the MFT market among the travel industry stakeholders
through standardizing terminology used in MFT, introducing market awareness and
customer service training programs and utilizing social media for promotion and
marketing.
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.