12 | JULY-AUGUST 2022
ITC identifies potential in Bosnia ’ s tourism growth
Industry players should prepare themselves well to serve the market better
WITH a combination of the charming European landscape , halal food , significant history , mosque architecture , and natural attractions , Bosnia and Herzegovina could appeal strongly to Muslim travellers , observed Islamic Tourism Centre ( ITC ) following its participation in the Sarajevo Business Forum ( SBF ) on May 11-12 , 2022 .
At “ The Power of Tourism to Fuel Economic Growth ” panel session organised by Bosna Bank International in cooperation with USAID , global experts weighed in on the matter offering great insights , focusing on tourism growth and investment opportunities in Bosnia .
Panel speaker Dato ’ Dr Mohmed Razip Hasan , Director-General , Islamic Tourism Centre ( ITC ), highlighted the Muslim market as a potential market for Bosnia .
“ The Muslim market is a new ground and segment overlooked for the last decade ,” he said .
He felt confident about Bosnia ’ s future growth in tourism and that the tourism industry players should prepare themselves well to serve the market better .
“ The Muslim tourist market is professional . They like to travel in style , spend more , and are looking for values to enrich their travel experiences ,” he said .
“ For Muslim travellers , they are asking for a little bit more to fulfil their faith-based needs . They want to perform prayers , enjoy halal food , and have special areas for their families to enjoy in comfort .”
Meanwhile , Mohd Akil Mohd Yusof , an ITC Board of Trustees member who participated in SBF as a panel speaker in the “ Malaysia- Bosnia Herzegovina Business Talk ” session , said : “ During the pandemic , there was little travel . It is the right time to introduce Bosnia and Herzegovina as a Muslim-friendly destination .
“ With Malaysia ’ s experience in advocating and readying its tourism industry players for Muslim tourists since 2009 , with the establishment of ITC , it can be a good model for Bosnia and Herzegovina to refer to . Malaysia has developed a solid foundation for Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality through its research , training , standards and guidelines for industry players .”
He said ITC was ready to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina ’ s tourism industry players in developing its Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem .
ITC ’ s participation in the Sarajevo Business Forum was part of its double mission to position Malaysia as a destination of choice for Muslims and to drive interest among global destinations toward the potential of the Muslim tourist market .
ITC also participated in the 4th Malaysia Tech Transfer Showcase organised by Human Life Advancement Foundation in conjunction with SBF 2022 . It was an opportunity to showcase Muslim-Friendly Malaysia and ITC ’ s initiatives towards strengthening the Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality concept through its consultancy work , research , training and capacity building , and standards development .— R & R
With Malaysia ’ s experience in advocating and readying its tourism industry players for Muslim tourists since 2009 , with the establishment of ITC , it can be a good model for Bosnia and Herzegovina to refer to . Malaysia has developed a solid foundation for Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality through its research , training , standards and guidelines for industry players .”