A meeting of minds to inspire you!

Explore the vast opportunities of Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality with key leaders

17 - 19 October 2022

The World Islamic Tourism Conference will commence live from World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur from 17-19 October 2022.

With the theme “Islamic Tourism: Inspiring Balance, Transformations and Solutions”, the conference brings together thought leaders, policymakers, industry captains and travel experts for a discourse in nine main sessions related to travel and tourism.

Session 1

Islamic Tourism Destination Showcase

This session features presentations by key and rising Muslim-Friendly destinations worldwide. Listen in to how these national tourism organisations discovered the potential of the Muslim tourist market and overcame the challenges along the way. They share their journey and the transformations experienced along the way.

Session 2

Islamic Tourism Corporate Forum

Today’s travel landscape is increasingly complex, requiring new thinking and strategies to uncover solutions that meet the needs of both the leisure and business traveller, including Muslims. How do airports, airlines, hotels, policymakers, NGOs and other service providers meet the needs of Muslim tourists while catering to the needs of a diverse marketplace? Gain insights from tourism industry leaders on how the Muslim tourist market has driven their transformation, and the future potential they see in it.

Session 3

Islamic Tourism Economy Forum

Join in this discussion to explore how Islamic Tourism drives up demand for halal goods and services required by Muslim travellers – from banking and finance, insurance, property and accommodation, transportation and logistics, education, food and beverage, healthcare and wellness, modest fashion and technology.

Session 4

Islamic Tourism Youth Discussions

Youths have been said to be the drivers of the new tourism era. They are independent, adventurous, and want to travel experientially. But this generation of travellers is also known to be digitally savvy, demanding information on the go, at their fingertips. Learn more about this market segment and how to appeal to their interests and demands for Muslim travel.

Session 5

Islamic Tourism Urban and Sustainability Forum

Sustainability has been a key focus in many economic fields including tourism. Explore Islamic Tourism and how the values embodied within create balance, well-being, and solutions for a more just world that respects and cares for the environment, human beings, communities, and the future generation.

Session 6

Islamic Tourism Technology Dialogue

With travellers becoming more reliant on technology, they are turning to apps and online resources to make all their travel decisions – from research to booking to sharing content and reviews with their communities. Find out from the experts how technology and social media can sharpen your business in the age of the Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0.

Session 7

Islamic Tourism Cultural Exchange

In this session, deep dive into the meaning of culture and the role it plays in Islamic Tourism. Our panel of speakers will help define the role of Islamic Tourism as a bridge between tourism and culture, as well as the broader sense of what it means to have a culture of awareness for the needs of the Muslim tourist.

Session 8

Islamic Tourism Standards and Certifications Discourse

Ultimately, standards and certifications are the foundations of a strong Islamic Tourism ecosystem, able to instil confidence and nurture trust between Muslim-friendly tourism product and service suppliers and their customers. But is it hard? Is it expensive? Is it worth it? Experts in the industry weigh in on the matter offering new insights and perspectives.

Session 9

Islamic Tourism Education Forum

The global tourism industry is recognising the value of Muslim-friendly tourism, paving the way for a tourism workforce that understands the special needs of this market. Those with Islamic-based knowledge such as Halal, Islamic finance, and Muslim-friendly hospitality will be in demand within the tourism industry. A career path is ready for them, but, is the current education system prepared to roll out the workforce needed? Are our youths ready for this new future? Are we creating leaders that can drive Islamic Tourism forward?

The Organiser

ISLAMIC TOURISM CENTRE

Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) is an entity under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia tasked to develop the Islamic tourism segment for Malaysia. It advocates for Muslim-friendly tourism (MFT) by offering research and market intelligence, training, industry development consultation, Muslim-friendly tourism and hospitality (MFTH) service standards and certification, and information exchange.

In 2021, ITC received two key awards, i.e. Strategic Business Alliance Award at The BrandLaureate World Halal Best Brand E-Branding Awards 2021, and Best IslamicTourism Leadership Gold Award 2021 by Malaysia Tourism Council. These arerecognition of ITC’s efforts and endeavours in formulating new strategies to meet the new normal of the business environment to ensure business continuity and sustainability, notwithstanding its role to develop and grow the Islamic tourism segment in Malaysia.

In 2022, Malaysia was again named top country in the world in the MFT sector by the State of the Global Islamic Economy (SGIE) Report 2022 by DinarStandard in partnership with Salaam Standard and supported by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

Malaysia also retained the top-ranked destination in the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2022, a position it has defended since the launch of the Index in 2015.

These recognitions are an added motivation for ITC to continue to strengthen its efforts in being a prime mover and leading institution to ensure Malaysia is at the forefront of MFTH.