Muslim Friendly Tourism:
Regulating Accommodation Establishments
In the OIC Member Countries
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o Quran is available or can be requested
o Praying timetable is available or can be requested
 The kitchen of the accommodation has to be Halal certified by JAKIM.
 Sohour and Iftar is available during Ramadan.
 A Public prayer rooms is available.
 Muslim-friendly recreational and wellness facilities are available.
4.1.3 Certification Process and Regulations
The Muslim-Friendly Hospitality Services standard can be purchased and downloaded online
via the website of SIRIM. It can also be purchased from the Islamic Tourism Centre in
Putrajaya and during selected fairs and road shows. All necessary guidelines to follow the
standard are described within the document. The current online purchase price is MYR20
(equivalent to approx. 5USD). 120
The accommodation or travel service provider can voluntarily follow the guidelines set in the
standards. There is no certification process currently; it is up to the accommodation or
service provider to follow the criteria outlined in the standard. The standard is currently not
required. In the future, Malaysia tourism authorities might consider providing a certification
process for the standard.121
To encourage accommodation providers to follow the standard, the Islamic Tourism Centre
organizes many road shows and industry sessions to introduce the standard to the hospitality
industry and the public and outline the benefits of following the standard. The Malaysian
Association of Tour and Travel Agents organizes industry events to inform the stakeholders
on the standard and encourage travel agents in Malaysia to promote Muslim-friendly
accommodation to their Muslim customers. In the context of these industry events,
stakeholders expressed the importance of a wide industry participation in both formulating
and implementing the standard, because the acceptance of industry players is crucial in the
success of any new standard. As the standard is voluntary, the acceptance of the hospitality
industry is much better than if it was required. 122
4.1.4 Standards’ Effects on the Accommodation Sector
Marketing
The MFHS standard can be used as a marketing tool by accommodation providers in
promoting their establishments.123 Businesses, which follow and display Muslim-friendly
120 Webiste of Malaysian Standards Online , retrieved October 2016
121 Interview conducted for the Malaysia case study, Islamic Tourism Centre
122 Interview conducted for the Malaysia case study, Islamic Tourism Centre, October 2016
123 Interview conducted for the Malaysia case study, Perhentian Island Resort, October 2016