09
November-December . 2024
Insights
09
Malaysia is one of our member countries , actively participating in our activities and making significant contributions to the development of halal standards . In the future , I hope Malaysia will adopt and fully implement some of the SMIIC standards . They already have Malaysian standards , but we expect that they will fully integrate international standards , as they are essentially the same .
İhsan ÖVÜT , Secretary General , Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries ( SMIIC )
What we do in our foundation is help develop new Muslim-friendly destinations in Spain and Portugal . So , for us , it ’ s essential to keep track of all the changes in the industry , not only the industry players but , most importantly , the customers . We need to keep track of how the customer profile is changing , how technology is impacting the business , and what their desires are because we are no longer discussing the very basics or the foundations like halal food . Now , we want to go the extra mile . We need to know what will make our customers even happier so we can offer a more comprehensive experience .
Dr Barbara Hayat Ruiz-Benjaro , Coordinator , Andalusi Medina Network
ITC is a perfect body that brings together people , not just from hotels or restaurants , but also tour guides . They introduce different courses and knowledge about how these guides can understand and promote Muslim-friendly tourism . This helps educate tourists , especially non-Muslim tourists when they come to Malaysia . Islamic tourism will succeed , though it might take around three years to really grow . There needs to be a solid plan for the next five to ten years to ensure the success of Muslimfriendly tourism , particularly in Malaysia .
Amin Mokhtar , Muslim-Friendly Tourist Guide ( MFTG )
WITC 2024 helped me understand the various entrepreneurs , companies , and organisations involved in Muslim travel and what they have adopted . This allowed me to incorporate , plan , assimilate , and see what areas KL Wellness City could tap into and collaborate with these potential partners . I ’ ve identified the Indonesian market , which is a primary target for KL Wellness City , as a key area where we can work closely with players in the healthcare and medical tourism sectors . This will allow us to explore partnerships and opportunities across the various provinces in Indonesia .
Dato ’ Sri Vincent Tiew Soon Thung , Executive Director , KL Wellness City
As women , primarily as women in business , we must support each other no matter where we are . Muslim women in business is not a new thing . We have generations of women who have gone on to build compelling businesses . And we want the same for our women now and for the generations to come . We can definitely support tourism because it means that the more money we earn and the bigger that we grow , the more money we put back into the ecosystem . It also means that we get to build generational wealth , not just for now , but for our children .
Jennifer Ogunyemi , Founder , Sisters in Business
There are a series of new challenges facing the Muslim community , and the trends are evolving very quickly . To give you one example , the trends after October 7 , last year , following the attack on Gaza , have radically shifted the way in which Muslim consumers think about their holidays and where they want to visit , as well as why they want to visit those places . They now prioritise countries that stand up to injustice and speak out , considering which countries align with their ethics and values . Looking at shifting trends like this is really important if you want to capture the new generation of Muslim travellers .
Omar DaCosta Shahid , Co-Founder , Creed & Culture
Digital currency is an alternative system that does not rely on riba or interest to generate returns , so therein lies a significant change in the foundational aspect of how this works ( to finance Muslim-friendly tourism ). However , the foundational building blocks themselves , I would argue - along with many others - could be considered more Shariah-compliant compared to something that may mirror a fractional reserve banking system . There needs to be a passing of the torch and a collaboration at some point for cooperation , but there is so much that can be done to improve both aspects .
Fuad Alhabshi , Executive Director , Halogen Capital
Malaysia , as a whole , is committed to anything related to the Islamic way of life , whether it ’ s Islamic finance or Islamic tourism , and this conference this year is no different ; it is no exception to the rule . The cooperation between destinations , countries , and organisations can actually be beneficial ; they are not competing with each other . It can be advantageous when there is some cooperation because people can come to a region rather than just a country , especially considering that Southeast Asia is a bit far . Hence , cooperation is something that is really needed .
Mohamed Ali Harrath , Founder , Islam Channel
I ’ m pleased to announce that we have officially signed our agreement with ITC . This marks an important step in our collaboration , particularly between Indonesia and Malaysia . With a membership base of 7,000 and representation across 36 provinces and 514 regions , we have significant opportunities to work together , particularly in Muslim tourism education . As a Muslim nation , it is crucial to disseminate information globally about our practices and to showcase the rich culinary , and experiences we offer .
Dr Nunung Rusmiati , President , Association of the Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies ( ASITA )
The MOU that we have signed with ITC includes the implementation of our Bachelor of Islamic Tourism , which we are offering at our university for the second year . The most important thing from this MOU is that we will send our students to the affiliated agencies under ITC , where our students can benefit while they are on attachment or practical training during a one-year practical in this institution . Additionally , our researchers at UNISZA , under the Faculty of Applied Social Science , can provide expertise in developing best practices and blueprints related to Islamic tourism for practitioners in Malaysia .
Prof Dato ’ Dr Fadzli Adam , Vice Chancellor , Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin ( UNISZA )
To create unique dining experiences for Muslim travellers , it is essential to collaborate with influencers who understand the market in Malaysia . A common misconception is that non- Muslims may shy away from halal restaurants , thinking the food is vastly different from what they are accustomed to . What we ’ ve done is make food for everyone , not only for Muslims but also for non-Muslims . So , in my restaurant , I want everyone to dine at the same table . It doesn ’ t matter where you come from , which part of the world , or what religion you are .
Gero DiMaria , Managing Director , Kucina Italian Restaurant
The problem with tourism , especially in Malaysia , is that we work in silos . When you ’ re promoting Islamic , halal , or Muslim-friendly tourism , it shouldn ’ t be done in isolation ; it should be integrated with other elements . Firstly , the involvement of the creative industry will further enhance tourism . Secondly , the application of digital technology , artificial intelligence , and various tools will make tourism more convenient , allowing tourists to organise their trips better . Thirdly , promotion and marketing are crucial . Failing to tell good stories will lead to misunderstandings or ignorance about your products .
Dr Maszlee Malik , Chairman , International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies ( IAIS ) Malaysia