By Annie Freeda Cruez
KUALA LUMPUR: An International Islamic Tourism and Halal week (IISTHAL), showcasing Islamic wonders of the world, will be held for three days from Tuesday at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre.
The Islamic Tourism Centre, in collaboration with GITC Secretariat Sdn Bhd, Khaaz International Sdn Bhd and Persatuan Pedagang dan Pengusaha Melayu Malaysia would be organising the inaugural event which will include the second national halal conference, the second global Islamic tourism conference and exhibition and global Islamic food festival.
A Global Islamic Tourism Organisation conference and a gala dinner of Malaysian halal excellence awards would also be held.
The tourism ministry's Islamic Tourism Centre said the main objectives of the conference and exhibition were to showcase the world's Islamic wonders and also to share and discuss current issues, tourism attributes and new frontiers on Islamic tourism.
It is also aimed at strengthening the Malaysian halal industry and tapping its opportunities.
Firefly, the country's first community airline, is the official airline for the event.
The collaboration would give trade visitors and members of the public a chance to win flight tickets -- six return tickets to Singapore, four return tickets to Medan and two return tickets to Koh Samui.
Visitors also have a chance to win plenty of other attractive prizes and vouchers.
The event, themed "Showcasing Islamic Wonders", has received encouraging response from industry players and the public.
Chief executive of GITC secretariat and co-organiser of IISTHAL, Datin Hasnah Abdul Rahman, said based on previous deliberations, it was felt that Islamic tourism could not be a single entity without addressing the issue of halal cuisine.
"Thus, the conference will cover certain issues on this pertinent subject," she said.
On the Firefly collaboration, she said she had met Firefly representatives at the World Trade Mart in London recently.
"IISTHAL is happy with the collaboration in making the event another milestone event in developing Islamic tourism and halal infrastructure."
Firefly head of marketing and communications Angelina Fernandez said it was a privilege to work with IISTHAL as they shared the same aspirations in making the growing Islamic tourism market an entity that would increase the number of travellers, both inbound and outbound, when greater awareness was created.
"Previously, when we hear of Islamic tourism, we only connect it with tourists from the Middle East.
"Today, with events such as IISTHAL, we are given the opportunity to showcase Islamic-based countries as a viable destination for non-Muslim travellers while Muslim travellers will have a peace of mind when they travel to non-Muslim countries. This certainly bodes well for tourism development."
For more information, visit www.itc.gov.my or www.islamic-tourism.com or www.halalconference.com.
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