Muslim Friendly Tourism (MFT):
Understanding the Supply and Demand Sides
In the OIC Member Countries
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c) Healthcare Travel
Indonesia is currently not known as a medical tourism destination. Many wealthy Indonesians
have opted for medical treatments overseas for critical illnesses. However, Indonesian
hospitals have been gaining more confidence and are constantly improving.
Former Tourism Minister Mari Elka Pangestu claimed that Indonesia can become an
international health destination because of its abundant natural beauty, with a huge potential to
attract tourists looking for low-cost health and medical care.
Supply Side Analysis
a) Transport terminal services (airports, cruise terminals, railway stations, etc.)
Named after Indonesia's first president, the Jakarta Soekarna-Hatta International Airport
caters well to the needs of a Muslim traveler. Soekarno–Hatta International Airport is the
largest airport in Indonesia and it is located in Jakarta. Being a Muslim country, it is "assumed"
most food is Halal. As such not many food outlets are certified Halal by the certifying authority
(Majlis Ulema Indonesia - MUI). However, in the recent years there have been a number of
food outlets that have been halal certified and display the Halal sign.
All terminals have prayer rooms both in the transit area and public area. In terminal 2 there
are more than one prayer room in both the public areas and transit areas. They cater to the
needs of both male and female worshippers and a partition separates the male and female
sections of the prayer rooms. Separate toilets and ablution facilities are also provided for
males and females next to the prayer rooms. The interior of the prayer rooms is bright,
spacious and adorned with decorative glass. All prayer rooms are open to worshippers 24
hours a day. The signs to the prayer rooms (Musollah) are easily noticeable.
b) Transport services (airlines, cruises, railways, etc.)
Garuda Indonesia which is the national carrier adequately caters to the needs of the Muslim
travelers. In addition, the airline is well connected offering a number of direct flights to OIC
member state countries.
c) Accommodation services (hotels, resorts, etc.)
Indonesia has a wide variety of hotels from offering budget to luxury accommodation for the
Muslim traveler. Increasing number hotels is now providing the basic halal food and prayer
information. Most hotels also have water friendly toilets. Not many hotels provide “Nice to
have” features. To cater these needs there is an emergence of what is in Indonesia termed as
“Shariah-complaint” hotels. One such group of Hotel is Sofian Hotel group. This Hotel group
was awarded the “Best Family Halal Hotel” at the “World Halal Travel Awards”
Riyanto Sofyan, Chairman, Sofyan Hospitality mentioned that Indonesia had positioned itself to
increase the tourist arrivals especially from the GCC group of countries. However, the approach
that they adopted was to better understand hotel guest and their unique requirements. A set of
guidelines we adopted and became part of our standard operating procedure. Hotel staff was
subsequently trained. This is an example of an approach which Sofyan hotels took. Riyanto