Focusing on Muslim tourists

THE Muslim tourism industry is growing rapidly in both Muslim countries and non-Muslim countries around the world. Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) vice-president (outbound) Jeffri Sulaiman said there was a huge potential market for the Muslim tourism industry. “Even in non-Muslim countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia, Muslim tourism is largely promoted.

“Muslim travel is not restricted only for Muslims. Non-Muslim travel companies can learn the Muslim way of travel and how the packages are planned,” he said at a press conference during the launch of the 5th International Conference on Muslim Tourism, Haj & Umrah (InCOMTHU 2011) recently.

All are welcome: Noor Zaleha and Jeffri at the press conference.

The conference will be held on April 14, 2011 at Dewan Tun Hussein Onn, Putra World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. The full-day conference aims to address issues concerning the Muslim tourism industry. InCOMTHU 2011 chairman Noor Zaleha Baharuddin encouraged people from various sectors of the tourism industry such as bumiputra entrepreneurs, airline agencies, government agencies and national tourism agencies to attend InCOMTHU 2011. “Participants will learn how to create opportunities and overcome obstacles in Muslim travel,” she said.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad will be the guest of honour and keynote speaker. Guest speakers such as the mayor of Mecca and representatives from Tourism Australia and Ministry of Tourism and Sport Republic of Kazakhstan will also be at the conference. For more information, log on to http://incomthu.matta.org.my or contact Shaidah at 03-9222 1155.

-thestar online.