PUTRAJAYA, July 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is the first country to introduce the Muslim-Friendly Tourism Accommodation Recognition in an effort to attract world Muslim travellers who are expected to reach 230 million by 2026.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi said recognition through the Islamic Tourism Centre, an agency under his ministry, is essential to dispel the doubts of Muslims to stay and perform prayers at the premises.
"There is a high demand from West Asian travellers for Muslim friendly accommodation, even hotels in non-Muslim countries are also trying to get Muslim-friendly recognition to attract more tourists," he told reporters after launching the recognition here today.
Meanwhile, Islamic Tourism Centre director-general Datuk Seri Abdul Khani Daud said the recognition was divided into three categories namely platinum, gold and silver.
To achieve platinum status, accommodation needs to meet the required seven Muslim-friendly conditions; while gold needs to meet five conditions and for silver, four conditions.
Among the conditions are that hotels need to provide information on mosque locations, Muslim-friendly tourist spots, provide halal food and beverages at restaurants, provide clear qibla/prayer direction and provide Al-Quran and prayer mat in accommodation.
Other conditions include the separation of pool facilities and gymnasium for women and men respectively or provide a special time schedule for Muslim women to use the facility, he said.
Abdul Khani said so far, 12 hotels had gained recognition with seven certified with platinum, four gold and one silver.
"For now the application for the recognition can be made free of charge," he said.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi said recognition through the Islamic Tourism Centre, an agency under his ministry, is essential to dispel the doubts of Muslims to stay and perform prayers at the premises.
"There is a high demand from West Asian travellers for Muslim friendly accommodation, even hotels in non-Muslim countries are also trying to get Muslim-friendly recognition to attract more tourists," he told reporters after launching the recognition here today.
Meanwhile, Islamic Tourism Centre director-general Datuk Seri Abdul Khani Daud said the recognition was divided into three categories namely platinum, gold and silver.
To achieve platinum status, accommodation needs to meet the required seven Muslim-friendly conditions; while gold needs to meet five conditions and for silver, four conditions.
Among the conditions are that hotels need to provide information on mosque locations, Muslim-friendly tourist spots, provide halal food and beverages at restaurants, provide clear qibla/prayer direction and provide Al-Quran and prayer mat in accommodation.
Other conditions include the separation of pool facilities and gymnasium for women and men respectively or provide a special time schedule for Muslim women to use the facility, he said.
Abdul Khani said so far, 12 hotels had gained recognition with seven certified with platinum, four gold and one silver.
"For now the application for the recognition can be made free of charge," he said.
-bernama.
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