18 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2022

ISLAMIC Tourism Centre ( ITC ) strengthened its ties with Uzbekistan during a recent visit to the destination on the occasion of the Ziyarah Tourism Week , organised on Nov 1-7 , 2022 , in several regions of the country . Various exhibitions , seminars , conferences and cultural and educational events were held aimed at the development of pilgrimage tourism .

ITC took the opportunity to strengthen its relations with various Uzbekistan agencies for mutual Islamic Tourism development .

A memorandum of understanding ( MoU ) between the Bukhara Regional Government of Uzbekistan and ITC was signed by Dato ’ Dr Mohmed Razip Hasan , Director-General , ITC , and Mr Botir Zaripov , the Governor of the Bukhara Province .

The MoU was to recognise the immense possibilities of establishing and developing ties between the respective members of the two organisations in terms of research and training , industry development , and knowledge sharing , among others .

ITC also took the opportunity to visit

Dato ’ Dr Mohmed Razip Hasan and Mr Botir Zaripov .

the Silk Road International University of Tourism and meet with its Vice Chancellor , Deans of Faculty , and International Heads of Department . Discussions between the two parties centred around possible collaborations and joint programmes on tourism and cultural and heritage partnerships .

Mr Aziz Abdukaxarovich Abduxakimov and Dato ’ Dr Mohmed Razip Hasan .

The trip was also a networking opportunity for ITC to be acquainted with several key officials from Uzbekistan , including the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Tourism and Cultural Heritage , Mr Aziz Abdukaxarovich Abduxakimov , and the Deputy Mufti of Uzbekistan .

Dato ’ Dr Mohmed Razip Hasan and Datuk Tan Kok Liang , MATTA President , witnessed by Former MOTAC Minister Dato ’ Sri Nancy Shukri .

ISLAMIC Tourism Centre ( ITC ) officially partnered with the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents ( MATTA ) today in a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) to support the government ’ s inbound tourism programmes .

The collaboration aims to further strengthen and develop Malaysia ’ s Islamic Tourism attractions , services and hospitality through intelligence sharing and exchanges , research and development ( R & D ) on Muslim social , culture and heritage tourism products , and training and capacity-building activities .

“ The strategic alliance with MATTA will focus on not only the development of physical Muslim-Friendly Tourism and

Hospitality ( MFTH ) products in Malaysia but also the quality of the Islamic Tourism workforce to retain Malaysia ’ s position as an Islamic Tourism destination , favoured by Muslim tourists , worldwide ”, said ITC Director- General , Dato ’ Dr Mohmed Razip Hasan .

“ With MATTA ’ s huge membership of almost 3,000 members and their own pool of experts , we are confident that this partnership will help us reach out to more travel agencies and policy-makers to get them to explore networking , marketing and promotional opportunities in the Islamic Tourism sector that will benefit them business-wise and eventually Malaysia as a tourist destination .”

Dato ’ Dr Mohmed Razip Hasan and Mr Viren Doshi , COO of TUI International Holiday ( Malaysia ) Sdn Bhd .

ISLAMIC Tourism Centre ( ITC ) and TUI International Holiday ( Malaysia ) Sdn Bhd signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) today to strengthen Malaysia ’ s positioning as a Muslim-friendly holiday destination .

The joint effort focuses on providing Muslim-friendly accommodation in Malaysia on the TUI website . A unique “ Muslimfriendly ” label on the TUI website will enable prospective customers to search for such hotels , facilitating accommodation booking efficiently .

In this regard , hotels certified by ITC under the Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Recognition ( MFAR ) programme will be promoted through the TUI Malaysia IBE ( Internet booking engine ) with the MFAR logo featured prominently .

Currently , 52 hotels nationwide have received the MFAR certification , attesting to their provision and delivery of specific requirements such as halal kitchens and dining facilities certified by JAKIM , the availability of Muslim prayer facilities and the display of Qibla directions in guest rooms .

Dato ’ Dr Mohmed Razip Hasan , Director- General of ITC , said : “ ITC has been actively engaging with hotels to guide them on the potential of the Muslim tourist market and help them to understand what the market needs so they can successfully cater to it . Once they have complied and received the MFAR certification , it becomes a key branding tool for hotels to brand themselves to this market .”

He added : “ This collaboration with TUI is our effort to continue supporting the current MFAR recipients to penetrate this market further . It ’ s a motivation for our MFAR hotels to continue maintaining their quality and improve their excellent products and services to meet the demand and expectations of travellers .”

“ It ’ s also an added incentive for more hotels to come on board the programme with ITC , and we welcome more hotels to do so and benefit from the growth of the Muslim tourist market ,” he shared . — R & R