Muslim Friendly Tourism (MFT):
Understanding the Supply and Demand Sides
In the OIC Member Countries
52
2.4 Review of Supply Side by Key Themes for MFT
2.4.1 Transport Terminals
Most of the work to improve the services for the MFT market has been at airports. Some
destinations have also looked at improving services at Railway stations and Cruise terminals,
however it is a low priority for most destinations. Airports are normally the first point of entry
into the country. In addition, they are also the last point of departure. As such, the facilities or
lack of it has lasting impression on the visitor. The main concerns of Muslim travelers at
Airports are the availability of prayer facilities and Halal dining options at the Airport. As such,
for the Airports, the focus has been on providing, in both public and transit areas, prayer
rooms, proper ablution facilities and Halal food/restaurants.
Most OIC destinations provide all the necessary airport services and facilities at the airport for
Muslim travelers. However, in some OIC destinations, the neatness of the prayer facility is not
as good as the newer facilities offered at non-OIC based Airports. In an interview with Ahmad
Nazri Hamzah, Senior Manager of Commercial Services at Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad
mentioned the following developments in relation to the airports in Malaysia:
1. No pork based dishes are served in the Airport food outlets.
2. They are encouraging all the food outlets to get Halal certification from the local
certification body.
3. All the airports provide proper facilities for prayers including Wudu facilities.
4. Generally, there is a Mosque nearby the Airport where Friday prayers are conducted.
5. During certain months where there is a huge influx of Arab Visitors Airport
announcements are done in Arabic as well. There is also signage in Arabic in KLIA. He
mentioned that the purpose of adopting this approach is to provide a feeling of being at
home in their travel to Malaysia.
The non-OIC countries have made significant development in their airport services. Many
destinations, especially in Asia, are providing prayer facilities at the Airports. Most of them are
multi-faith rooms, but in some cases provide wudu facilities as well. Following are some of the
developments in transport terminals of non-OIC destinations.
 In non-OIC destinations, an increasing number of airports are now providing multi-
faith prayer rooms. However, many airports still lack proper ablution facilities.
 There is generally a lack of Halal food outlets at non-OIC Airport. This is also now
changing since more airports are adding Halal-certified restaurants.
 Where there are Halal food outlets, there is generally a visible identification showing
the food is halal.
 The Singapore Changi Airport offers excellent prayer facilities for Muslim passengers
in all terminals with separate areas for males and females. It has been ranked in the
Top 10 Halal Friendly Airports in non-OIC member countries by CrescentRating
(2013).
 Japan Chubu Airport will open prayer rooms and offer Halal food for Muslim travelers
to coincide with the start of a new route to Malaysia.
 Narita, Kansai, New Chitose and other airports in Japan have similar prayer spaces for
Muslims