Nurturing young talents
Islamic Tourism is another branch of tourism that requires hands-on skills
TOURISM , in general , has always played a significant role in driving the socioeconomic growth of a country . It promotes the local culture and helps create business and job opportunities for the local community . As one of the macro levels of tourism , Islamic Tourism is not excluded in creating these job creation , social-cultural exchanges and foreign exchange generation .
“ When we talk about Islamic Tourism , we have to understand the expectations of Muslims who travel beyond their norms ,” stated Prof Dr Khairil Wahidin Awang from the Faculty of Hospitality , Tourism and Wellness , Universiti Malaysia Kelantan .
He said the expectations included halal food availability , prayer facilities , and other necessities along the travel supply chain , such as accommodation and transportation . He opined that the Muslim travel market was a significant niche market for the whole world , and other Muslim-minority countries like Japan , South Korea , and Taiwan are already in it .
These countries are learning from OIC countries like Malaysia to accommodate and understand the needs of these Muslim travellers .
CHALLENGES TO THE ACADEMIA
Touching on youth employability in Islamic Tourism , Khairil said : “ We need first to see the kind of education received by these young people , whether formal or informal .”
He explained that sometimes the traditional education system - from elementary to high school - limits the students ’ creativity . It has become a challenge for lecturers to produce young graduates that can suit the Islamic Tourism space .
“ People say that we can use technology for the betterment . However , sometimes we can be a slave to technology . Producing graduates is not a short-term measure . To tackle the challenge of youth employability , policymakers , educators , etc ., have to sit down and discuss the issue constructively .”
He highlighted that the government plays an essential role in building human capital for Islamic Tourism by emphasising its importance through policies . The young talents must be well-equipped to understand the market needs .
Prof Dr Khairil Wahidin Awang
“ We need to progress quickly because the market is there . If we don ’ t , the other competitors will tap into this market . On another note , when the youth are not ready for the Islamic Tourism market , the hotels might hire foreigners for the jobs . The hospitality industry is very much hands-on ; some graduates might not be ready for it in certain ways .” — R & R
Join Prof Dr Khairil Wahidin Awang at WITC ' s Session Nine : Islamic Tourism Education Forum on Oct 19 .
Youth the key drivers
Muslim tour operators should offer Islamic Heritage Tours
ACCORDING to the MasterCard- CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index ( GMTI ) 2022 , young Muslim travellers - Gen Z and Millennials , are the key drivers who will propel the Muslim travel market forward in its next development phase .
Mohammed Abu Al Anouar , CEO and Chairman of GoldenPalmGroup - International , said the younger generation of Muslims would be the future . They are the ones who will carry the flag that moves humanity and Islamic Tourism forward . However , these young people must be enlightened and aware of such responsibilities .
He noted that most young travellers preferred to use online applications to arrange accommodation and activities for their holiday . This scenario should
Mohammed Abu Al Anouar
encourage Muslims to have their own ‘ Halal Silicon Valley ’, creating websites and mobile applications that can cater for these people . He said if these young people chose to use the services of Muslim tour operators , they were helping the Muslim community at large .
“ They are not losing money ; they are investing the money ,” Mohammed highlighted , saying that these operators were people who hire Muslim staff and pay zakat .
PROVIDING ISLAMIC HERITAGE TOURS
He stated that tourism was a divine vehicle . Instead of just focusing on umrah and hajj travel packages , Mohammed opined that Muslim tour operators should explore new markets . The Covid-19 pandemic has urged these travel agents to look at other destinations which provide information on Islamic Heritage .
“ Of course , umrah and hajj will always be there ; nobody will negotiate about those destinations . But you should provide Islamic Heritage Tours besides those two because the knowledge , acknowledgement , education and interactions you can have with those countries are fundamental . If the Muslim travel agents do not do that , then it will become a gap which non-Muslim tour operators will take off that part of the market , which also happens in many Muslim countries ,” said Mohammed .
Commenting on the use of social media and technology to attract young Muslim travellers , he said space and environment had their vehicles to bring and deliver messages every time . The most important thing is delivering the message . Today , such vehicles would be technical platforms like social media . — R & R
Explore more about Muslim youth travel with Mohammed Abu Al Anouar in Session Four : Islamic Tourism Youth Discussion of WITC on Oct 18 .