KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — Malaysia recorded 4.5 million Muslim tourist arrivals last year, generating RM14.7 billion in revenue, said Islamic Tourist Centre (ITC) director-general Nizran Noordin.
Speaking on Bernama TV’s Apa Khabar Malaysia today, he said this proved that Muslim-friendly tourism and hospitality have significant economic potential in the country.
Nizran said that data showed the global population includes two billion Muslims, with 1.1 billion residing in Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member countries, an intergovernmental organisation with 57 Muslim countries worldwide.
In addition, he said there are 255 million Muslims in Asean nations and 350 million in countries where they are a minority.
“The market is huge. Mastercard-CrescentRating (Global Muslim Travel Index) projected that in 2028, the travel market will be led by 230 million Muslims, generating spending of US$225 billion (RM938.9 billion),” he said.
Nizran said to promote the sector, ITC provides Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition for accommodations and approximately 220 Muslim-friendly tourist guides.
Meanwhile, he said, the ITC is holding the Islamic Tourism Month event until September 30, offering accommodation deals, travel packages, mosque tourism, beauty and spa services, events, and exhibitions, among other things.
More information on the programme can be obtained at the ITC website.
— Bernama
