May-June. 2025
12 INDUSTRY
Curated journeys for Muslim couples
Licensed tour guides enrich travel with cultural sensitivity and personalised tour experiences
LICENSED tour guides play a vital role in shaping meaningful travel experiences, especially for Muslim travellers seeking wedding and honeymoon journeys aligned with their faith. In Malaysia, recognised globally as a top Muslim-friendly destination, licensed guides not only offer expert insights into the country ' s rich cultural heritage but also help curate itineraries that respect Islamic values.
Effendy Hamidon, a tour guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture( MOTAC) and certified as a Muslim-Friendly Tour Guide( MFTG), said that licensed tourist guides were not just information providers.
" They are cultural ambassadors. For Muslim honeymooners, a guide ' s sensitivity to their religious and personal preferences makes a huge difference. From recommending prayer-friendly itineraries to respecting modesty and privacy, guides shape the overall comfort and satisfaction of the couple," said Effendy.
|
" Additionally, we can introduce honeymooners to enriching experiences like Islamic calligraphy workshops, romantic halal dining experiences, or even private sunset prayers at scenic spots. A licensed guide who understands the nuances of Islamic hospitality ensures that the experience is both memorable and meaningful."
MUSLIM-FRIENDLY WEDDING DESTINATIONS
According to Effendy, Malaysia has tremendous potential in the Muslim-friendly wedding and honeymoon segment. The availability of Islamic marriage solemnisation services, modest luxury resorts, and halal-certified hospitality makes it ideal for newlyweds.
" Destinations like Langkawi, Tioman Island, and Cameron Highlands offer stunning natural backdrops for private Muslim weddings and romantic honeymoons. More niche options like the rainforest resorts in Sabah and Sarawak or heritage hotels in George Town, Penang, provide unique alternatives.
|
" These places should be promoted more actively, especially those that can tailor wedding packages to Muslim needs, such as separate facilities for men and women, halal catering, and privacy-conscious accommodations." |
MAXIMISING VM2026 POTENTIAL
With years of experience in scuba diving before becoming a licensed tour guide, Effendy is now actively working to introduce conventional activities into Muslim-friendly experiences. This includes initiatives such as incorporating Islamic elements into scuba diving sessions and inviting experts like ahli falak to share insights during stargazing activities.
" To fully capitalise on Visit Malaysia 2026( VM2026), we need a coordinated national effort that includes targeted marketing, capacity building, and strategic partnerships."
He suggested promoting Muslim-friendly packages at Islamic
|
Effendy Hamidon receives the MFTG certificate.
Scan Me
Effendy Hamidon during sales mission in China.
travel fairs and collaborating with influencers from key markets like the Middle East, Indonesia, and Central Asia. He also highlighted the need to train more guides under the MFTG programme and improve storytelling through social media and video to showcase Malaysia ' s appeal to Muslim travellers.
|
A rising star in destination weddings
Malaysia offers the perfect blend of culture, scenery, and hospitality for unforgettable celebrations
Malaysia ' s rich cultural and racial diversity offers couples a wide range of options to suit every style and preference when it comes to wedding and honeymoon destinations. Leticia Hsu, Co-Founder and President of Association of Wedding Professionals Malaysia( AWP Malaysia), explained that Malaysia has gained popularity as a wedding and honeymoon destination in recent years.
However, it had previously been losing ground to neighbouring countries. She highlighted Malaysia ' s unique and versatile qualities, particularly its diversity and hospitality, which set it apart.
" We ' ve also got multilingual vendors and top-notch professionals. We have a solid tourism infrastructure to promote and support couples who want to get married and have their honeymoon in Malaysia. Essentially, we are offering not just a wedding destination, but lasting memories. When people come here, they can
Leticia Hsu
come for their wedding, then their honeymoon, and later return for their babymoon. Malaysia is a very versatile country that offers a lot in terms of tourism and weddings."
MAXIMISING VM2026 POTENTIAL
According to Hsu, Malaysia is a top wedding destination because of:
• Cultural and Geographical Diversity: Experience Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sikh, and indigenous weddings.
• Easy Accessibility: Wellconnected internationally by air and sea, with affordable travel options.
• Unique Cultural Experiences: Diverse traditions and performances in one wedding.
• Stunning Locations: From highlands to beaches and city venues.
• Top-Notch Vendors: Awardwinning professionals, including those featured internationally.
• Value for Money: High-quality services at competitive prices.
• Exceptional Hospitality: Warm, heartfelt service that makes weddings memorable. However, Hsu noted that while Malaysia ' s wedding infrastructure is well-developed, there is still room for improvement. With greater support from the tourism ministry and policymakers,
she believes Malaysia has strong potential to become the top wedding destination. One key area is the legal marriage registration process, which can be more complex compared to other countries, often requiring foreign couples to navigate a tedious document submission process across multiple ministries.
She also pointed out that marketing is another area that could be strengthened.
" A lot of overseas couples don ' t consider Malaysia right away. When they think of wedding destinations, they think of Thailand or Bali. If we had stronger marketing efforts and better international connections, we could make Malaysia a top-of-mind destination."
Speaking of Malaysia as a Muslim-friendly wedding destination, Hsu noted the country ' s established halal ecosystem and culturally sensitive environment. With Muslim-friendly vendors, widespread prayer facilities, and deep respect for religious practices, Malaysia offers Muslim couples a safe and welcoming setting for their weddings. – RnR