Tourism Feasibility Study
TOURISM PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
THE POTENTIAL
During the initial meetings and discussions at the 1997
Ministerial meetings, the potential of intra-regional tourism was
identified. Being the fastest growing industry its benefits
for all the Member States was strongly emphasized.
The Indian Ocean Region has a tremendous tourism potential which
has remained untapped. The Member States of IOR-ARC are
blessed with a great diversity of natural and cultural assets that
are the basis for a successful tourism industry. However, to
realize the full potential of the region and ensure the
sustainability of the tourism industry, will require a planned
approach to growth and development, including concerted efforts to
attract investment in the industry and promote the region as a
destination.
FEASIBILITY STUDY ON TOURISM
It was imperative that to tap the maximum benefit of this sector
a detailed assessment of the potential of promoting Inter-Region
and Intra-Region Tourism Traffic be done to find out the strategic
thrust areas for driving tourism in the Indian Ocean Region.
Sultanate of Oman was elected the Lead-Coordinator of the
Feasibility Study on Tourism. The project is being funded
jointly by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and the
Special Fund of IOR-ARC.
The Indian Ocean Tourism Organisation with the assistance of
Grant Thornton is conducting the study to understand the travel and
tourism trends in IOR-ARC Member States and the existing tourism
potential in the region.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The study is being done with the following objectives:
- Initiatives to be taken at the regional/ identified group level
to drive tourism
- Inputs on infrastructure and development in the region/
identified group
- Suggestions on regulatory and policy level changes
- Specific offerings and destinations which could drive growth in
future