Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Centexs Commercial, a subsidiary company under the Centre of Technical Excellences Sarawak (CENTEXS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to link and grow culture-related Islamic Tourism attractions in Sarawak.

The strategic alliance is set to encourage bilateral Islamic tourism flows between the two organisations through the exchange of intelligence, research and development (R&D) and promotional activities. Its foundation is to boost the state’s Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH), cultural, heritage, business and fashion tourism attractions, opening up more income-generating opportunities for local industry players and entrepreneurs.

Islamic Tourism and the Muslim tourist market is a rising force in the tourism industry that has left significant economic, cultural, social and environmental impacts on known destinations worldwide. With a global Muslim population of 2 billion and counting, Islamic Tourism is proven to be a lucrative market that Malaysia, and Sarawak should leverage on. 

“Sarawak is already a strong tourism destination with its beautiful blend of cultures, traditions, customs, and natural heritage. However, its existing Islamic Tourism ecosystem with accessible halal food, prayer rooms and water-friendly washrooms helps to expand these attractions, making it an ideal tourism spot for Muslim tourists,” said ITC Director-General, YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Mohmed Razip Haji Hasan. 

He further commented, “Islamic Tourism is universal in nature, its activities are not restricted only to Muslims. The collaboration with Centexs Commercial will develop, commercialise and promote Sarawak’s heritage and culture-centric Islamic Tourism attractions that will benefit the local people of Sarawak regardless of race and religions.”

ITC has always been active in providing capacity building programmes to Sarawak industry players that are interested in venturing into the Islamic Tourism sector. Back in September this year, 27 local licensed tourist guides have successfully completed ITC’s Muslim-Friendly Tourist Guide (MFTG) training programme, earning them the recognition as tour guides with an understanding of the travel needs of Muslim tourists.

This was followed by the Mosque Visitors Guide (MosVi) Training Programme in November where 31 representatives from mosques all over Sarawak were trained to become mosque tour guides, proving the growing interest for mosque tourism in the Bornean state. 

The MOU was signed by YBhg. Dato’ Razip as the Director General of ITC and Encik Mohamad Sharen Mohamad Yusri, General Manager, Centexs Commercial at the Royal Launching of the Juma’ani Pavilion in Kuching, Sarawak, attended by Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.