ISLAMIC TOURISM WAY FORWARD FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY
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PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA, 24 JUNE 2022: The inaugural Islamic Tourism Week was officially launched this morning by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Haji Shukri at Zenith Hotel, Putrajaya.
Islamic Tourism Week is being presented by Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) to showcase Malaysia’s diverse Islamic Tourism and Muslim-Friendly touristic experiences whilst encouraging tourism partners to come together and rebuild following the reopening of borders post-Covid-19. It runs from 20 June to 3 July, 2022.
Held over 14 days with a variety of nationwide satellite events, Islamic Tourism Week is open to the public, tourists, tourism industry players and entrepreneurs highlighting the sector’s niche products and services. ITC and its partners have lined-up a range of educational, entertaining, relaxing and spiritual activities for both locals and tourists to enjoy.
The launch of the event came on the heels of Malaysia being named “Top Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year” in the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2022 Report, or GMTI. This followed Malaysia’s recognition earlier this year as the nation that best supports the multi-trillion-dollar worth Islamic economy, topping the travel and tourism list in DinarStandard’s State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2022 (SGIE Report).
In officiating the event, YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Haji Shukri noted that Malaysia has all the advantages to leverage on this sector being both a pioneer of Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH) and a Muslim-majority country.
The Minister said: “I urge all tourism industry stakeholders – from local governments, tourism promotion boards and tourism and consumer product suppliers – to give special attention to and invest more in this market, with ITC being the bridge that links industry to Islamic Tourism.”
She further noted that Malaysia’s Islamic Tourism products, such as art, culture, food and heritage assets, Muslim-friendly facilities, products and services showcased during Islamic Tourism Week can be the bridge that connects tourism and culture to everyone. “Insha Allah, it presents a solution towards a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable tourism industry.”
The launch of the maiden Islamic Tourism Week is also aimed at creating value where visitors and locals can have meaningful experiences of Malaysia that are niche to the country.
Speaking during the launch, ITC Director-General, Dato’ Dr. Mohmed Razip Haji Hasan, said: “With Islamic Tourism Week, ITC is able to provide a platform for our partners in the industry to introduce their MFTH products and services. Insha Allah, this will expand the offerings of Islamic Tourism experience in Malaysia, and tourists will have more options of activities to add to their travel plans.”
Dato’ Dr. Mohmed Razip further noted that interest for Islamic Tourism among tourism industry players has also prompted the industry towards self-regulation to ensure the delivery of outstanding experiences and quality services.
“This is important to us because it relates to the goal of providing great value and consumer experiences without depending too much on external enforcement. The internal mindset is one that focuses on value creation, not only for the bottom line of the company or the satisfaction of the tourist, but also for the people they work with, their staff, the local community, the surrounding environment, and beyond. I believe embracing this perspective can only produce and cascade tourism wealth, prosperity and sustainability to all.”
Islamic Tourism Week brings together ITC’s travel and tourism partners as well as government agencies from across the country to provide a window into the unique Muslim-Friendly products and the value of the industry. The array of imaginative events and promotions include art and cultural exhibitions, special accommodation deals at participating Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Recognition (MFAR) hotels, self-development retreats, and attractive wellness packages at women-friendly spas.
Another key activity of Islamic Tourism Week are ITC’s own signature programmes – Seminar Kepimpinan dan Keusahawanan Pelancongan Islam (Islamic Tourism Entrepreneurship and Leadership Seminar – ITELS) held in Penang and Terengganu, and a refresher course for ITC’s Muslim-Friendly Tour Guides (MFTG).
For a full list of activities and events throughout Islamic Tourism Week, visit: www.itw2022.itc.gov.my
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