Perak will soon be the first state to introduce new tourism products which are Muslim-friendly to attract more Muslim tourists especially from the Middle East countries.
Executive Councillor for Housing, Local Government and Tourism, Dato’ Nolee Ashilin binti Dato’ Mohammed Radzi said a one-day event by the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) which consisted of a seminar on mosque tourism and a talk on Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Recognition (MFAR) and Muslim-Friendly Tourism (MFT) helped hotel operators, especially those registered under the Malaysia Association Hotel (MAH), in promoting state tourism products.
“The concept of Muslim-friendly services have received positive response globally like in Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Britain. It focuses on the necessities and facilities for Muslim tourists by hotel operators via cleanliness, use of Muslim-friendly utensils, food and facilities.
“Many options can be offered to the Middle East market by providing the necessary infrastructure to increase the number of Muslim tourists,” she said after officiating the event at Royal Perak Golf Club yesterday.
In Perak, there is only one tourism accommodation that has received the recognition of MFAR, which is Lost World of Tambun Hotel. Besides that, Impiana Hotel has applied to obtain the recognition.
Present were the Director-General of the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), Dato’ Dr. Mohmed Razip Hassan and CEO of Tourism Perak, Nurmalis Musa.
According to Nolee, Perak was selected as the first state to host the Mosque Tourism Seminar as the state has mosques of unique architecture with interesting history.
“We need to take a step forward by expanding services via the creation of a new scheme under the Muslim-friendly tourism concept for hotels known as MFAR.
“The state government via Tourism Perak in cooperation with the Solidarity Association For Travel and Tourism Agencies (SAFTTA) will participate in a Business Matching (B2B) programme at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai on May 8.
“We encourage more industry players in the state, especially travel and tour agencies, to increase tourism packages focusing on a Muslim-friendly concept.
“Currently, the state features 10 mosques, namely Masjid Panglima Kinta, 1898; Masjid Ubudiah,1917; Masjid Ihsaniah Iskandariah, Kampung Dhal, 1938; Masjid India Muslim, 1908; Masjid Kampung Paloh, 1912; Masjid Pakistani, 1930; Masjid Sultan Idris Shah, 1968; Masjid Muhammadiah (Masjid Cina), 2013; Masjid Al-Badr Seribu Selawat, Pulau Pangkor and Masjid Toh Puan Hatijah, 2008.”
Rosli Mansor
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