COMCEC Tourism Outlook-2016
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By the groupings in the OIC Member Countries, it is observed that OIC-MENA has experienced
expansion in tourist arrivals for the period 2004-2015. In the same period, OIC-ASIA has
experienced growth in tourist arrivals. OIC- Sub Saharan Africa constitutes the smallest portion
of the international OIC Tourism. In terms of tourism receipts, OIC-MENA’s performance has
been greater than OIC- Sub Saharan Africa and OIC-Asia in the period 2004-2015.
In 2015, it was estimated that there were 117 million Muslim international travelers. This is
projected to grow to 168 million by 2020, where the travel expenditure by Muslim travelers is
expected to exceed USD 200 billion (CrescentRating, 2016). The COMCEC Tourism Working
Group is focusing on Muslim Friendly Tourism (MFT) in its three consecutive meetings. The 7 th
Tourism Working Group was held on February 4th, 2016, with the theme of “Muslim Friendly
Tourism (MFT): Understanding the Demand and Supply Side in the OIC Member Countries.” A
research report was prepared on the theme of the meeting, which mainly focused on creating
awareness about MFT as well as the developments regarding the demand and supply side of
MFT in the Member Countries. This report, as well as the Member Country representatives
during the 7th Working Group Meeting highlighted some major challenges faced by the member
countries.
In addition to the demand and supply sides of MFT, COMCEC tries to analyze developing and
marketing aspects of MFT products and services and developing regulations for accommodation
establishments to improve MFT among OIC member states.
Safety and security concerns are in the spotlight for OIC member states, and it is assumed that
these issues will continue to cause difficulties in the years ahead. Governments should work
hard to ensure the safety of tourists and to minimize the impact of security threats. Incidents
like the sector observed in 2015 and 2016 should not stop people travelling around the world.
The strength of the US dollar relative to other currencies is shifting the price competitiveness
among destinations and will affect market share and rankings of destinations.
Obstacles faced in the tourism development are diverse in the Member Countries as each
country has its own tourism features, level of development and national development priorities
and policies. The challenges affecting tourism performance in the Member Countries ranges
from, among others, insufficient tourism-related infrastructure and investments, unskilled
tourismworkforce to low-capacity tourism administrations and problems in safety and security.
It is evident that if properly planned and managed tourism cooperation could play a significant
role in the socio-economic development of the Member Countries. The COMCEC Strategy,
provides a useful strategic framework for tourism development and tourism cooperation in the
Member Countries with its new implementation instruments, namely, Tourism Working Group
and Project Cycle Management mechanism.
To stimulate and promote tourism for economic growth, social progress and environmental
sustainability, Member Countries should give priority to tourism sector in their national policies,
foster competitive and responsible business models and practices, increase cooperation
between the public and private sectors and enhance international cooperation including
cooperation with the member countries.