COMCEC Tourism Outlook-2016
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investments, unskilled tourism workforce to low-capacity tourism administrations and lack of
safety and security (COMCEC Progress Report, 2013), as shown in Figure 6.2.
In order to address the challenge of insufficient tourism-related infrastructure and investments,
the quality and efficiency of tourism infrastructure and services need to be improved in
conformity with the international standards. To develop tourism-related infrastructure in the
Member Countries, private sector’s resources can be utilized. In this respect, Public-Private
Partnerships (PPPs) can be promoted and an enabling environment can be provided for
attracting more FDI in the tourism sector. In the case of many Member Countries, these
challenges still include the lack of technical know-how and the weak promotional activity.
Due to its labor-intensive nature, tourism sector requires a highly qualified workforce that has
a direct effect on the quality of tourism services. Despite the fundamental awareness and basic
perception of the economic importance of tourism as an industry and its positive impact as a
potential source of foreign exchange earnings and employment, in many cases there is lack of
trained tourism workforce. Thus, training programs and projects need to be developed for
upgrading the quality of workforce in the member countries.
Figure 6.2 Challenges Affecting Tourism Performance in the Member Countries
These challenges should be addressed for the sustainable growth of tourism sector in the
Member States. These are common challenges among the countries; however, each member
state should specify the high-priority challenge considering its own conditions and try to solve
the problems in the tourism sector.
The issue of developing consistent tourism strategies and policies is also one of the main
challenges facingmany Member Countries, which are still experiencing difficulties in developing
integrated tourism policies. Effective administration, regulation and institutional frameworks
are important issues to be improved for the tourism activities.
The absence or weak publicity promotion and mass media exposure due to the limited
communication systems and technological services are also obstacles for tourism development
in the OIC Member Countries. It is known that electronic media (CD-ROM maps, Internet, web
sites, etc.) will be increasingly used for the purpose of choosing destinations and making
reservations. Therefore, the COMCEC countries should improve their promotion through
electronic media and other mass media.
Insufficient Tourism Investments and Infrastructures
Poor Tourism Planning & Product Development
Travel Facilitation Problems
Safety and Security Related Problems
Low Tourism Service Quality
Insufficient Marketing and Promotion
Insufficient Image Building and Branding