Arab tourists seek "halal tourism" instead of US, Europe

[Min-Fadhli-Rabii]

:salam2:

Arab tourists seek "halal tourism" instead of US, Europe
Arab investors to build 'Arab cities' in Malaysia[/SI

An influx of petro dollar Arab tourists to Malaysia is changing the country's tourism profile

KUALA LUMPUR (AlArabiya.net, AFP)

Arab investors will spend 303 million dollars on building two "Arab Cities" to lure Arab tourists to the historic Malaysian town of Malacca, the Star daily said Wednesday.

The 1.1 billion ringgit project includes an Arabian bazaar, Middle Eastern restaurants, shopping complex, five-star hotel, water theme park, and a unisex Arabic health and beauty spa.

One of the "Arab Cities" will be built on a small island lying south of Malacca town, while the other will be located at a beachside resort just west of the historic port.


Halal tourism

Malacca chief minister Mohamad Ali Rustam reportedly said the project, due for completion by 2012, will attract more Middle Eastern tourists and give locals a chance to experience Arabic culture.

Arab tourists spend on average 10 times more than other tourists, according to recent reports on Malaysian tourism that showed an increasing number of Muslim Middle Eastern tourists are seeking “halal tourism” in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei while avoiding the U.S. and Europe because of post Sept. 11, 2001 stereotyping and racial profiling.

The country's tourism industry has seen a sharp rise in the number of big-spending tourists from the Middle East in recent years, attracted by the tropical country's Islamic image.


Muslim friendly services

Arab Muslim travelers prefer Muslim destinations where Muslim-friendly food ,halal, and hotel facilities with a copy of the Holy Qur'an and Makkah-prayer direction in each room are easily available.

Some 264,338 visitors from the region made their way to Malaysia last year, almost double the figure recorded in 2005.

The capital Kuala Lumpur has already seen the introduction of an "Arab
Street" to make tourists from the Middle East feel at home, while hotel and restaurants serve West Asian food and bring Arab cooks to work in the country.

Tourism was Malaysia's second highest foreign exchange earner in 2007, raking in 14 billion dollars in revenue from 21 million tourists arrivals.
The government however said it expected tourist numbers to fall 9.3 percent to 20 million this year as the global economic slowdown hits.

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/04/29/71651.html

 

[Hard Rock Moslem]

We have been receiving more Arabs tourist after 9/11 incident. This is a bless from Allah.

 

[a_muslimah86]

I am liking the sound of this..because it nice to see such initiative of a Muslim country and because I am strongly thinking about visting Malaysia sometime soon inshallah

If only other Muslims pick up on this path and keep up with it..and not just for Arabs..for *all* Muslim tourists...everyone is so hyped up with Europe and the US and visiting them for tourism..but they forget that mashallah..Muslim countries are spread through the world and each country has a tourism-flavor of its own

Like brother ayman1 said..it's a win-win..because not only are we vacating in Muslim environments..we are supporting Muslim nations in improving their economy and infrastructure and such

This sure is nice!

 

[Hard Rock Moslem]

I just would like to inform you guys, Malaysia has a population of about 25 million people out of which only 60% - 70% are muslim. You will see many unIslamic landmarks in Malaysia in fact we have tallest hindu statue in the world. This is because Malaysia is a multiracial country once ruled by the ex-colonial monster the British, this monster left some "time-bomb" which will explode any time i.e. they has planted a lot fears among non-muslim community. Therefore, our leaders who took over the administration of the country from British brilliantly ensured we tolerate each other and allows non-muslim to practice their faiths freely. We always careful when come to non-muslim issue in fact there are ministers and deputy ministers and chief minister who are non-muslim.

Why I'm saying this because I do not want you to imagine or compare Malaysia with Madinah, we do have masjid all over and least to find a mussolah for prayers is very easy in my country. At same time you will see many unIslamic things e.g. beer factories (but not that many) and beer advertisement etc.

But no worry, we are safe country and worth visiting.

 

[a_muslimah86]

I just would like to inform you guys, Malaysia has a population of about 25 million people out of which only 60% - 70% are muslim. You will see many unIslamic landmarks in Malaysia in fact we have tallest hindu statue in the world. This is because Malaysia is a multiracial country once ruled by the ex-colonial monster the British, this monster left some "time-bomb" which will explode any time i.e. they has planted a lot fears among non-muslim community. Therefore, our leaders who took over the administration of the country from British brilliantly ensured we tolerate each other and allows non-muslim to practice their faiths freely. We always careful when come to non-muslim issue in fact there are ministers and deputy ministers and chief minister who are non-muslim.

Why I'm saying this because I do not want you to imagine or compare Malaysia with Madinah, we do have masjid all over and least to find a mussolah for prayers is very easy in my country. At same time you will see many unIslamic things e.g. beer factories (but not that many) and beer advertisement etc.

But no worry, we are safe country and worth visiting.

I think the points you mentioned are common traits in many countries with Muslim majority or Muslim "identity" (for lack of a better word)..but at least if I were to make a trip to Malaysia..I can for example go to a restaurant that offers halal food..and if it's time for prayer..I can walk to the nearest masjid to perform my prayers..no matter what..travel to Muslim countries will have more pros than cons in my opinion..and believe me akhi..many people I know have gone to Malaysia and have fallen in love with it..I know as sister who visits Malaysia *every single year!* with her husband..she loves it so much she wants to *buy a house there!* ..and before anyone talks of any scenary or any places they visited..they speak of how nice and friendly people were to them..a relative of mine once said *Malaysians are so nice they make you blush with their hospitality and friendliness*..mashallah la qowta illa billah...and inshallah one day I will give a first-hand "testimony" of the beautiful things in Malaysia