16 | JULY-AUGUST 2022
Genting Dream sails with halalcertified kitchen
Targets critical market in Southeast Asia , which comprises 60 per cent Muslims
ITC ’ s Upcoming Events
MUSLIM FRIENDLY TOURIST GUIDE ( MFTG ) TRAINING
Date : Sept 12-15 , 2022 Venue : Merdeka Palace , Kuching , Sarawak MUSLIM-Friendly Tourist Guide Training ( MFTG ) is a programme introduced by ITC in 2017 with the primary objective to train tourist guides licensed under MOTAC on the concept of Islamic Tourism and Muslim-Friendly Hospitality and procedures for handling Muslim tourists . It is also part of ITC ’ s initiative to meet and support the needs of Malaysia ’ s Muslim Tourism and Muslim Friendly Hospitality segment .
GENTING Dream set sail on its maiden voyage on June 15 with new features , including the world ’ s first halal-certified cruise ship kitchen .
The ship sailed at halfcapacity for its first trip , a three-day , two-night cruise to nowhere . It included a crew of nearly 3,000 .
In an exclusive interview with The Straits Times , Michael Goh , President and Head of International Sales of Resorts World Cruises , said : “ It ’ s important to start the new brand correctly . “ The first few cruises won ’ t be full . We ’ re managing it at 50 per cent to give guests the full experience .”
Dream Cruises , the ship ’ s previous owner , filed for bankruptcy in February after its parent company , Genting Hong Kong , folded . It stopped operating World Dream in Singapore , leaving thousands of customers demanding refunds .
Malaysian tycoon Lim Kok Thay ’ s Resorts World Cruises later offered customers credits . Genting Dream bookings began on May 18 . Despite hiccups , domestic and international markets have responded well .
“ Besides the domestic response , we ’ ve got a very good response from the overseas market .. For example , we got 22,000 cabin bookings from India alone in less than three weeks ,” said Goh . Genting Dream ’ s relaunch included new features . The ship is the world ’ s first OIC / SMIIC ( Organisation of Islamic Cooperation / Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries ) halal-friendly cruise ship and will serve farm-tofork halal meals from a certified kitchen . Halal food will be served in one of the ship ’ s largest restaurants , The Lido , which has 500 seats . “ We needed halal certification to serve different business segments . Before choosing brands or destinations , our Muslim passengers should consider this .
“ This is a key market in Southeast Asia which comprises 60 per cent Muslims .
We needed halal certification to serve different business segments . Before choosing brands or destinations , our Muslim passengers should consider this .”
– Michael Goh
“ Not just Muslims enjoy halal food ... We could introduce it to a wider audience ,” Goh commented .
It also announced cruises to Bintan , Batam , Kuala Lumpur , Melaka and Penang starting July 1 . Phuket , Krabi and Bali will be added in October . — R & R
ISLAMIC TOURISM ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LEADERSHIP SEMINAR
Date : Sept 14-15 , 2022 Venue : Waterfront Hotel , Kuching , Sarawak ISLAMIC Tourism Entrepreneurship and Leadership Seminar ( ITELS ) is a seminar to foster general awareness of entrepreneurial opportunities in the Islamic tourism segment .
The fourth ITELS is set to uncover the talents of youths , entrepreneurs and tourism industry players in Sarawak aspiring to venture into the growing and profitable field of Islamic Tourism .
Participants will receive guidance from well-respected speakers on economic and entrepreneurial opportunities in the Islamic Tourism segment .
JOHOR INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC & HALAL FESTIVAL ( FIJO 2022 )
Date : Sept 29-Oct 2 , 2022 Venue : PERSADA International Convention Centre ,
Johor Bahru , Johor
ITC ’ S participation at FIJO 2022 mainly focuses on promoting awareness of Islamic Tourism / MFTH and ITC ’ s products and services such as WITC 2022 , MFAR , MFT PROHPACK , MFTG , Training on Mosque Visitors Guide and Symposium of Islamic Tourism ( SIT 2022 ).
Additionally , ITC would like to receive more contacts from industry players in Johor and Singapore .
ISLAMIC TOURISM SYMPOSIUM 2022
Date : Oct 3-4 , 2022 Venue : Amari Johor Bahru Hotel THE symposium will present papers and the latest research and studies available on Islamic Tourism and Muslim- Friendly Tourism and Hospitality .
WORLD ISLAMIC TOURISM CONFERENCE 2022
Date : Oct 17-19 , 2022 Venue : World Trade Centre , Kuala Lumpur THE World Islamic Tourism Conference ( WITC ) returns live from the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur from 17 - 19 October 2022 .
With the theme “ Islamic Tourism : Inspiring Balance , Transformations and Solutions ”, the conference brings together thought leaders , policymakers , industry captains and travel experts for a discourse on nine main sessions .
In addition , this year ’ s conference will feature a Travel Mart component for tourism businesses to network in B2B engagements .
ISLAMIC TOURISM WRITERS WORKSHOP
Date : Oct 25-27 , 2022 Venue : Klang Valley ISLAMIC Tourism Writers Workshop aims to get digital and printed media acquainted with Islamic Tourism and MFTH , along with the products and services that come with it .
ITC is of the view that it is important for the media ( traditional and digital ) to produce quality content on Islamic tourism constantly . Through this workshop , traditional journalists , government PROs , digital writers and social media content creators will be exposed to the basics of Islamic tourism , its concept and Malaysia ’ s MFTH development .
Participants will have the chance to attend lectures by tourism and writing professionals , sharing experiences with industry practitioners , and technical visits to selected MFTH products .