The Impact of Tension Index on Foreign Tourism: A Comparative Analysis of Member Countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Selected Developed Nations (A Characterization Approach)

In recent years, global growth and development indicators have underscored a widening gap between developed and developing countries, including Islamic nations, prompting a shift towards endogenous growth strategies and the utilization of domestic capacities and sustainable resources. The tourism industry has emerged as a dynamic driver of growth and development, particularly in developed countries, over the past two decades. Islamic countries, rich in cultural, historical, and natural attractions, have the potential to optimize this capacity by establishing necessary platforms. This comparative research investigates the factors influencing tourism, with a specific emphasis on the tension index, across two groups: member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and developed countries from 2005 to 2019. The findings reveal a positive and significant impact of tension variables, previous period tourist numbers, economic openness, and transportation infrastructure on foreign tourism. Notably, the estimated coefficient of the tension index is larger in member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Furthermore, the study identifies a positive and significant relationship between public spending on education and tourism in developed countries. Contradictory trends in the effect of the consumer price index on foreign tourism between the two groups highlight differences in purchasing power dynamics.