March-April. 2025
12 Programme
Updates on ITC’ s signature programmes: MFAR and MFTG
A total of 13 MFAR recipients received the recognition in December 2024.
MFTG Training Course 2024 in Sabah, held from 13-15 December at Horizon Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, gathered 8 participants.
MFTG Training Course 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, held from 24-26 February 2025 at AnCasa Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, brought together 18 participants.
The newest MFAR recipients with Dr Cindy Seow( MICA), Nur Alyssa Coraline Yussin( ITC), Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan( MOTAC YBTM), Datuk Manoharan Periasamy( Director-General, Tourism Malaysia).
Wyndham Acmar Klang General Manager Datin Sheena Mak received the MFAR certification on behalf of the hotel.
THE Islamic Tourism Centre( ITC), an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture( MOTAC), continues to expand its Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition( MFAR) and Muslim-Friendly Tourist Guide( MFTG) programmes.
These initiatives play a vital role in strengthening Malaysia’ s position as a leading Muslim-friendly destination by ensuring highquality services that cater to the needs of Muslim travellers.
Building on the 13 MFAR recipients announced in December 2024, ITC has started 2025 on a strong note by welcoming seven new travel operating businesses into the programme. These businesses were officially recognised
and awarded their MFAR certificates during the 10th Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association( MICA) Annual Dinner, held at Sunway Resort Hotel, Petaling Jaya, on 7 September 2025.
This recognition highlights the growing commitment of industry players to enhancing Malaysia’ s appeal to Muslim travellers while ensuring adherence to Muslim-friendly tourism standards.
The seven newly certified businesses under MFAR, all members of the Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association( MICA) and registered with MOTAC, are:
• Anytime Holidays Sdn Bhd
• Golden Point Leisure & Mice Holiday Sdn Bhd
• Citytan Holidays & Limousine Sdn Bhd
• EZT Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd
• Honey Holidays( M) Sdn Bhd
• Sayang Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
• HTC Travel Service( M) Sdn Bhd In addition to the latest recognitions in the travel operating sector, the Wyndham Acmar Klang has been awarded the MFAR Silver certification in the tourist accommodation sector. This achievement underscores the increasing adoption of Muslim-friendly standards across diverse sectors within the tourism industry.
As ITC continues to expand its MFAR and MFTG programmes, these milestones mark significant progress in elevating Malaysia’ s standing as a premier destination for Muslim travellers worldwide.
Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition( MFAR)
Muslim-Friendly Tourist Guide( MFTG)
|
MFAR was first introduced in 2019 as Muslim-Friendly Accommodation and Recognition, with strategic marketing efforts, including the launch of an official logo and online seminars. In 2023, MFAR was rebranded as Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition, expanding its scope to 10 key sectors in tourism and hospitality:
• Tourist accommodations
• Spa and wellness
• Medical facilities
• Travel agencies
|
• Transportation hubs
• Shopping malls
• Amusement parks
• Rest service areas
• Tourism products
• Convention and trade centres As of February 2025, there are 56 MFAR recipients, comprising of 40 MFAR hotel and 16 MFAR travel agents. MFAR Guidelines can be accessed on ITC’ s official website: https:// www. itc. gov. my / muslim-friendly-tourismand-hospitality-assurance-andrecognition /.
|
THE MFTG recognition is awarded to licensed tourist guides who have completed a specialised course in Muslimfriendly tourism. This initiative enhances their expertise in catering to Muslim travellers by considering faith-based needs, safety, and comfort. The MFTG badge signifies that a guide is trained and |
knowledgeable in providing a Muslim-friendly experience.
Currently, ITC recognises 275 tour guides under MFTG.
More information about MFTG can be accessed here: https:// www. itc. gov. my / muslim-friendly-touristguide-mftg /.
|