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Muslim tourists eager to explore Muslim heritage sites and hidden jewels, as well as experience local Muslim culture and lifestyle, are showing newfound interest following the lockdown.
This insight was made by panelists speaking on the second day of the Halal in Travel Global Summit in a topic titled, The Future of Muslim Travel: Are Destinations Engaging Enough.
According to Riyanto Sofyan, chairman of Sofyan Corporation in Indonesia, community-based tourism products in Indonesia, such as homestays, have become increasingly popular with long-haul Muslim travelers, particularly those from the United States and the United Kingdom, who want to experience the Islamic way of life in Indonesian villages.
He mentioned how social media and digital marketing have aided in bringing such experiences to long-distance markets. Previously, Muslim visitors from Singapore and Malaysia are more likely to enjoy these experiences.
According to Lee Jian Xuan, Singapore Tourism Board’s area director for Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei, Muslim visitors from Malaysia and Brunei are eager to learn about Malaysian history and heritage in Singapore, which are easily accessible by visiting Kampong Glam.
As per, Abdul Maalik Tailor, CEO of Halal Tourism Britain, a company that specializes in halal travel and Muslim heritage in the United Kingdom, stated that Muslim visitors to the country are interested in learning more about Muslim culture and visiting Muslim history sites outside of London. He went on to say that some Muslim travelers might combine vacations to the UK and France, with a concentration on Muslim cultural landmarks.
Despite the growing interest, the panelists believe that the fundamentals of Muslim travel, such as prayer facilities and easy access to halal and Muslim-friendly food, remain critical in attracting Muslim visitors overall.
