KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia welcomed 4.5 million Muslim tourists last year, generating RM14.7bil in revenue, says director-general of the Islamic Tourist Centre (ITC), Nirzan Nordin.
Speaking as a guest on Bernama TV's ‘Apa Khabar Malaysia’ program on Tuesday (Sept 24), Nizran highlighted the significant economic potential of Muslim-friendly tourism and hospitality in the country. He said that the global Muslim population stands at two billion, with 1.1 billion residing in member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which includes 57 Muslim-majority nations.
In Asean countries alone, there are approximately 255 million Muslims, alongside an additional 350 million living as minorities in other regions. "The market is huge. The Mastercard-Crescent Rating (Global Muslim Travel Index, GMTI) projects that by 2028, the travel market will be led by 230 million Muslims, generating spending of US$225bil (RM987 billion)," Nizran added.
To promote the sector, the ITC provides Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition for accommodations, as well as certification for around 220 Muslim-friendly tourist guides. Additionally, Nizran announced that the ITC is organising the Islamic Tourism Month (ITM) program from August 16 to September 30. The program features accommodation deals, travel packages, mosque tourism, beauty and spa services, events, and exhibitions.
More information about the program can be found at www.itm.itc.
gov.my.- Bernama.