Boost to Halal Tourism as Visa-Free Travel To Malaysia Now A Reality for Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE as well as India and Indonesia.

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Halal tourism, also known as Muslim-friendly tourism. For Muslim travelers, the appeal of vacationing in a halal-friendly locale is unmatched. Such destinations eliminate the risk of inadvertently adopting a pescatarian diet, provide easy access to prayer facilities, and eliminate the need for travel shattafs.

As the fastest-growing faith globally, Islam constitutes the second-largest religious group, with Indonesia leading as the country with the highest Muslim population, followed by Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, and Turkey.

This segment also includes other variations like Shariah Tourism and Ziyarah Tourism, which cater to specific religious or cultural preferences.

Islam is the world’s most rapidly expanding religion, currently accounting for approximately 24.9% of the global population, with over 1.9 billion adherents. This positions Muslims as the second largest religious group globally the majority reside in Asia.

In Southeast Asia, Islamic tourism is gaining momentum, notably in Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia, prompting initiatives like the Joint Seminar on Islamic Tourism (JoSIT). This seminar facilitates bilateral discussions and cooperation on Islamic tourism sustainability, with industry experts from Southeast Asia sharing insights and best practices.

The Muslim Travel Intent Tracker (MTIT) and the Muslim Traveler Responsible Tourism Framework. Explore top destinations, the GMTI Performance Matrix, and projections for Muslim traveler arrivals and expenditures. The GMTI 2024 offers critical insights and introduces the RIDA framework, highlighting the recovery of Muslim international visitors, expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2024.
The GMTI 2024 report, released on May 30, also recognized Malaysia as the “Top Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)” in Singapore. These achievements generated RM14.70 billion in revenue for Malaysia last year.

As international borders have reopened, a significant expansion is expected in the Muslim travel market.

The terminology surrounding Halal travel is diverse, often encompassing terms like Halal Tourism, Muslim Friendly Travel, and Islamic Travel, among others.
To clarify these terms, Crescentrating has released the first-ever glossary detailing travel-specific terminology for the Muslim/Halal travel sector, including insights into Islamic core values and culturally specific travel practices.

Malaysia not only offers a full suite of high-standard healthcare facilities at very affordable prices, but we also provide insurance and Halal, Muslim-friendly medical facilities. These three factors position them exceptionally well to promote medical tourism. Additionally, tourists seeking spiritual and Halal food will find these available, making them very comfortable, especially in GCC countries. Hence it deserves to be too preferred nation. In an Exclusive Interview TTW Editor Mr. Anup Keshan with Nader El Biblawi, Chairman of the Egypt Travel Agent Association.

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Key features of halal tourism include:

Halal Hotels: These establishments prohibit alcohol and gambling, serve halal food only, and provide Qurans, prayer mats, and Qibla-direction indicators in each room. The layout of rooms ensures that beds and toilets do not face Mecca, and prayer rooms are available.

Halal Transport (Airlines): Airlines catering to Muslim passengers maintain cleanliness, offer non-alcoholic beverages, and provide publications that are compatible with Islamic teachings.

Halal Food Premises: Restaurants must serve halal-certified food, with all meat slaughtered according to Islamic law, and alcohol is strictly prohibited.

Halal Tour Packages: These packages are designed around Islamic themes, including visits to mosques, Islamic monuments, and events during Ramadan.

Halal Finance: Financial operations in the tourism sector must comply with Islamic principles, which advocate for profit and loss sharing and prohibit interest.

The Ministry aims to position Malaysia as a regional ‘Umrah Hub,’ enhancing the travel experience for Muslim tourists from regions including China, by offering diverse attractions in conjunction with their Umrah pilgrimage. This initiative coincides with the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic ties, marked by a special Familiarization Trip for 36 Imams, underlining the cultural exchange and mutual appreciation between the two nations.

As 2024 unfolds, collaboration between the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) and the Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association (MICA) is expected to foster further industry partnerships, capitalizing on the growing Muslim tourism market. This collective effort is geared towards a prosperous and successful 2024, contributing significantly to the tourism sector’s recovery.

Here’s a breakdown of commonly used terms:

Muslim Tourism: Muslims traveling primarily for tourism.

Halal-conscious Travelers: Muslim travelers seeking to meet their faith-based needs without compromise.

Penang has recently initiated the Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH) program to educate and integrate Muslim-friendly practices into local businesses such as accommodations, spas, and travel services.

Responding to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s call for enhanced focus on Muslim-Friendly Tourism, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), has launched an ambitious strategy to attract Muslim tourists, backed by a RM350 million budget in 2024 as part of broader tourism recovery initiatives.

In a separate but related context, the Hajj pilgrimage, commencing on June 14, 2024, anticipates over 1.5 million foreign pilgrims, approaching pre-pandemic levels. Saudi Arabia continues to expand its tourism offerings beyond religious visits, with the 2023 pilgrimages drawing substantial international tourist numbers, indicating robust growth in its religious tourism sector.

The rapid pace of globalization, driven by advancements in communication and information technology, has significantly influenced various sectors, including tourism. Notably, the development of halal tourism has emerged as a significant trend worth monitoring. This type of tourism caters specifically to Muslim travelers by adhering to Islamic principles throughout all aspects of the travel experience, from food and accommodation to activities.

Consumer surveys reveal a growing sensitivity among Muslim consumers towards ensuring that products and services are free from practices forbidden in Islam. This shift has heightened the demand for halal-certified goods and services not only in predominantly Muslim countries or those part of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation but also in non-member states like Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. These countries have been recognized by the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) for their efforts in accommodating Muslim travelers, making them popular destinations within the halal tourism market.

Citizens of GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE, can now visit and stay in Malaysia for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. This visa-free policy for GCC nations enhances Malaysia’s appeal as a destination for international tourism and business travel.

Countries such as Singapore and Thailand, members of the ASEAN Economic Community, have effectively capitalized on this trend, attracting Muslim tourists from nearby nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. The United Kingdom, with its historical ties to various Muslim-majority regions during its colonial past, also remains a favored destination for travelers from Commonwealth countries.

Singapore is further expanding its tourism offerings to include not only halal services but also MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) and cruise markets.

Malaysia has solidified its status as the preferred destination for Muslim travelers, leading the sector thanks to its Halal-friendly environment, stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and exceptional shopping. The Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) revealed that in 2023, Malaysia attracted over 4.5 million Muslim international visitors, maintaining its top ranking for the ninth consecutive year in the Mastercard-Crescentrating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2024, released on Thursday (May 30).

Looking ahead, the Asia Islamic Tourism & Trade Expo (AITEX 2024) is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from August 23rd to 25th, 2024. This major event, which will be held at the prestigious Sunway Resort Hotel, aims to highlight the latest in Islamic finance, tourism, and trade. The Shariah Finance Expo, a key component of AITEX, will gather industry leaders and experts to discuss innovations and opportunities in Islamic finance.

In terms of global travel, while Japan and Singapore boast the strongest passports in 2021 according to the Henley Passport Index, with Malaysia at 13th, the vast Muslim-majority Indonesia offers numerous tranquil spots for reflection, from mall prayer rooms to local mosques. Malaysia, an early adopter of Islamic tourism, continues to enhance amenities for Muslim families. The UAE presents what could be the closest experience to a halal Michelin-star dining. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, the epicenter of Islam, welcomes scores of Muslim travelers, particularly in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, where visitors can revere at sites like the Kaaba and the mosques of Masjid Al Haram and Masjid Al Nabawi.
Surprisingly, despite its small Muslim demographic, Japan ranks sixth among non-OIC nations on the GMTI 2023 list, reflecting its significant commitment to accommodating Islamic travelers with prayer spaces, halal-certified eateries, and tours in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.

This year alone, international arrivals of Muslim travelers are projected to hit 168 million, which would exceed pre-pandemic figures by as much as five percent. The halal tourism sector is projected to grow significantly, with an estimated increase to $300 billion by 2026.