Regional tourism in Inter-Governmental Authority on Development: a comparative policy and institutional best practice approach

Tourism is increasingly being adopted as a path to economic development and integration by regional economic communities (RECs). This study examined tourism policy and institutional frameworks of RECs in Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Europe to document attributes and best practices to be adopted for establishing a regional tourism framework for Inter-Governmental Authority on Development region. Multi-case study approach and framework analysis were applied to analyse information from the RECs. Results reveal that most RECs have lean institutional structures with strong regional tourism policy and institutional planning frameworks that have helped to strengthen their global competitiveness. In spite of having a sustainable tourism master plan, the region has continued to lack a policy and institutional framework - a gap which this paper endeavours to fill based on a comparative framework analysis of other RECs. The paper presents best practices and recommends a lean organisational structure for the region with a sustainable financing mechanism.