@ green | November-December . 2024

Sustainable halal tourism and the art of managing carrying capacity

Whether you are staying in a hotel , trying out local food , or visiting famous landmarks , tourism brings together a wide range of services that make these experiences possible . In the halal industry , there is a specialised segment known as “ halal tourism ”, sometimes referred to as “ Islamic tourism ”.

This type of tourism is designed to cater to the needs and preferences of Muslim travellers by aligning services , accommodations , and activities with Islamic principles and values .

Halal , in the context of tourism , refers to any practices or activities that are allowed under Islamic teachings ( Battour and Ismail , 2016 ).

Halal tourism is a concept in the tourism sector that presents relevant and unique potential for sustainability that could overcome the negative impacts emerging from the tourism industry on the climate , environment and socio-cultural perspectives through its holistic strategies ( Battour , 2021 ).

TOURISM MANAGEMENT

The concept of carrying capacity in tourism refers to the maximum number of visitors a destination can accommodate without causing environmental degradation , loss of cultural authenticity , or a decline in visitor experience .

In this sense , carrying capacity and sustainable tourism are crucial considerations in the development of halal tourism , where faith-based practices are integrated into environmentally responsible travel .

The term sustainable tourism refers to a level of tourism which has been designed for long-term socio- economic and ecological sustainability whilst seeking to avoid the negative impacts on ecosystems , local communities , and other aspects of biodiversity .

Integrating sustainabl e practices in halal tourism , such as waste reduction , energy efficiency , and community engagement , can help maintain a destination ’ s carrying capacity .

It also fosters a harmonious relationship between tourism , local communities , and the environment , aligning with Islamic principles of stewardship ( khalifah ) and care for

BY WAN SYIBRAH HANISAH WAN SULAIMAN

International Institute for Halal Research and Training ( INHART ), International Islamic University Malaysia

and

NADIA MOHD NASIR

Faculty of Creative Industry , City University Malaysia

Carrying capacity management ensures that the infrastructure , such as transportation , water supply , and accommodation , can handle the massive influx of pilgrims without straining local ecosystems or reducing the quality of the religious experience . ” the earth .

The interplay between sustainable tourism and carrying capacity , thus , promotes a model of halal tourism that not only supports faith-based travel but also enhances the longevity and quality of tourism experiences .

PILGRIMAGE VS COP28

Taking an example of carrying capacity management in Saudi Arabia , the nation experienced significant increases in tourism due to rising demand for halal-compliant services , faith-based travel , and religious pilgrimages , making sustainable management essential for preserving both the environmental and cultural resources .

As a primary destination for religious tourism , particularly during the Hajj and Umrah , Saudi Arabia faces unique challenges in managing millions of visitors each year .

While further expansion of the religious tourism sites can cater to the overcrowding of tourists , the government implements the carrying capacity concept .

Carrying capacity management ensures that the infrastructure , such as transportation , water supply , and accommodation , can handle the massive influx of pilgrims without straining local ecosystems or reducing the quality of the religious experience .

Strict planning around peak seasons , crowd control , and environmental conservation around sacred sites help minimise negative impacts .

The complicated relationship and irony of tourism and travel against the environmental protection could be seen at COP28 hosted by the UAE on Nov 30-Dec 12 , 2023 .

The event made history as one of

Figure 1 : Numbers of delegates who attended UNFCCC-COP28 . ( Ministry of Environmental Resource and Natural Sustainbility , 2023 ).