The halal tourism industry

In recent years, the tourism industry started to examine the needs of the families of the conservative Gulf region, so that the introduction of a new trend called "Halal Tourism".

This trend was in Malaysia, which had introduced the merit of an ideal destination for families, conservative golf resorts and entertainment scene, even though he in a position to correspond to the teachings and Muslim traditions.

Turkey soon followed suit, with the introduction of the hotels that do not serve alcohol and have separate swimming pools and bathrooms for men and women. Most countries do not want to attract tourists from Muslim countries for economic improvements, and have begun to introduce systems with more than religious beliefs of the people.

The "halal" tourism industry is now under the same planes that have no alcohol served, or wearing of products, and the hour of prayer are announced, apart from the question of the religious segments of programs and programs of entertainment on board.

One study predicts that several carriers in May adopt such measures to attract more tourists from the Gulf states. Most international hotels currently serve "food" halal, slaughtered according to Islamic teachings and is free of pork products, with more wizards Arab people.

The concept of Islamic hotels is also rising, albeit at first in the UAE is catching up with other investors in the Gulf state. Many hotel groups are planning to build hotels in the world by 2013 from the spirit of Egypt, from the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Europe, the USA, followed by China.

Halal industry as a new growth sector

The 6th Malaysian International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2009 offers huge tangible business opportunities for halal industry players.

“It has great potential and is very exciting,” he told Bernama after visiting the exhibition booths at MIHAS 2009 here today.

He was accompanied by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and deputy Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Noharuddin Nordin and MIHAS CEO Mohd Shukri Abdullah.

Earlier in his speech at the opening of MIHAS 2009 and the 2nd World Halal Research Summit 2009, Najib said the halal industry has been touted as a new growth sector due to the huge market potential.

He said the rising affluence of Muslims worldwide and the increasing awareness on halal have created a high demand for halal products and services.

Concerning the halal industry, Najib said the business opportunities were not confined to the food and non-food sectors but also covered the services sector such as finance and banking, insurance, education and training, research, certification, consultancy, logistics, healthcare, and travel and tours.

He commended the International Trade and Industry Ministry and its agency, Matrade, for organising MIHAS 2009 which has recorded the highest number of foreign participants so far.

Najib took almost an hour to visit several booths at the exhibition centre, including those of Hadari Food, Sime Darby and Istak.

He also received a special halal perfume called “A Touch of Rosmah” dedicated to his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor from Atelier Des Parfums, a well known perfume company from France.

The company’s vice-president Hermann Portner, who presented the product, said there was excellent support from Matrade and other related organisations in attracting foreign participation for MIHAS 2009.

Challenges halal industry

Make Malaysia as a halal hub for global

Halal industry basically does not only focus on halal food products only as understood before this even includes the services sector such as logistics, packaging, branding and market.

It also includes pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and self dandanan, finance, entertainment, investment, tourism and others.

This is creating a new value chain, especially in logistics, ports, shipping, shipping, handling and warehouse facilities.

For that, India should become leader of the global halal standard-setting process including audit, production of halal certificates to protect the integrity of halal and further directing and coordinating the development of halal industry globally.

This includes the field of information technology such as the Internet which many companies have successfully established businesses to make full use throughout the world.

In support of a strong political organization such as the Malaysia International Halal Trade Exhibition (Mihas) and the World Halal Forum (WHF), it can attract investment to the country's halal industry and support the growth of the participation of Malaysian companies in the global halal market.

In addition, developing and marketing the brand to promote the concept of halal and halal products and services in Malaysia which is expected to record trade transactions worth more than RM2 billion to the wider world market.

Some focus and emphasis should also be given serious attention for the success of the halal industry, covering infrastructure development permissible science, logistics, distribution and lawful international trade; Islamic investment model for the halal market economy; views of sharia slaughter using electric shock on the heart that is convenient to animals; in retail development; lawful services and tourism, and manufacturing and the market for halal.

Issues that are still in the stage of the dispute and disagreement should be resolved soon so that no matter merencat transformation of the global halal industry.

Rough estimate indicates the size of the market for halal food products amounted to RM1.5 billion from RM1.3 billion a year, taking into account the use by users anywhere in the Muslim country.

However, the world halal food market is still dominated four days of non-Muslim countries, namely China, Thailand, Australia and Brazil.

This is a challenge to all Muslim countries are still neglected in this industry and local and still is not ready to explore this industry seriously.

The Muslim community can no longer simply be observers or even users only need to change the producing countries and a major player in the global halal industry.