Islamic tourism an untapped potential to explore, says Ng

KUALA LUMPUR: Islamic tourism is a huge market to tap, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. She urged all Islamic tourism stakeholders to play an active part in working together with the ministry and other agencies to ensure sustainable tourist arrivals.
“Collaboration and concerted efforts by all stakeholders such as travel and tour agencies, homestay operators, hotels, food industry members, transport companies, airlines and restaurant are the way forward for the success of Islamic tourism,” she said.

Dr Ng said Islamic tourism was not only for religious purposes but also about appreciating nature, culture, arts, leisure, health and recreation. “It has embraced broader definition from its root in Umrah performed at Mecca,” she said in her speech which was read by the ministry's acting director Datuk Azizan Noordin during the closing ceremony of the World Islamic Tourism Forum 2011 in Seri Pacific Hotel here yesterday. The inaugural two-day forum with the theme “Enhancing the Spirit of Global Understanding through Islamic Tourism” gathered around 250 participants comprising Islamic studies university students, embassies and companies who promote halal products and Islamic tourism.

Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched the event on Tuesday and delivered the keynote address to the participants. The event was organised by Global Islamic Tourism Organisation Malaysia and International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies Malaysia. It is supported by the Tourism Ministry and Malacca state government.
-thestar online.