Sustainable tourism policy recommendations developed for OIC countries in new report by DinarStandard and COMCEC

Ankara, Turkey – February 13^th 2019 – DinarStandard developed the “Sustainable Destination Management Strategies In The OIC Member Countries” report, which was released today at the 13^th Meeting of the COMCEC Tourism Working Group, attended by Ministry of Tourism representatives from the OIC Member States.

The purpose of the study was to identify sustainable destination management strategies, compare strategies in the OIC Member States with global best practices, and provide policy recommendations for the OIC Member States. An industry survey, in-depth interviews, and seven country case studies, including three that were field visits, constituted the primary research tools used.

Report findings include the critical need for sustainable tourism. Unchecked, tourism growth can have a negative impact on a destination’s natural assets, the environment and local communities. According to the United Nation’s Environment Program, tourism growth to 2050 without further interventions to ensure sustainability, will lead to an increase of 111% in energy consumption, 105% in greenhouse gas emissions, 150% in water consumption, and 252% in solid waste disposal. However, with targeted efforts in the energy and water efficiency areas, emissions mitigation and solid waste management, this scenario could be reversed with a reduction of 18% in water consumption, 44% in energy supply and demand, and 52% in carbon dioxide emissions.