Muslim Friendly Tourism:
Regulating Accommodation Establishments
In the OIC Member Countries
78
Table 20: Steps for Establishing Private Standards
Mainstream Standards
E.g. AAA Diamond rating, ISO
13811
MFT Standards
E.g. CrescentRating, Salam
Standard
Gaps & Opportunities for
Improvement in MFT
Standards
S
t
e
p
s
 Set up a panel of experts
within a technical committee
 Develop a draft standard
 Share with stakeholders for
comments
 Release final draft
Consumer survey on MFT
services and amenities
demanded by Muslim
travellers
Assessing the current
status of hotels
 Engaging all stakeholders
including industry
associations and consumers
 Obtaining government buy-in
 Minimizing conflict of interest
between standard setting and
certification roles
 Training and capacity-
building of local inspectors
 Establishing controls,
documentation and follow up
processes
 Promoting the standard
among industry stakeholders
and consumers
Source: DinarStandard
B. Measurement Criteria
Due to the different nature of mainstream and MFT standards, the services and facilities
measured in each of them is distinct. In terms of gaps and opportunities for improvement for
MFT standards, listed below are some additional features that can be included in private-
sector MFT standards, and which were also suggested for government standards.
Table 21: Measurement Criteria for Private Standards
Mainstream Standards MFT Standards Gaps & Opportunities for
Improvement in MFT
Standards
Areas/
Services
Measured
Star ratings:
 Cleanliness
 Management
 Guest room and
bathroom
 Public areas and
exterior
Environmental standards:
 Energy and water
efficiency
 Building
design/construction
 Housekeeping and
waste management
 Water and energy
conservation
 Food and beverage
operations
Halal menu items
Halal certified kitchen
List of restaurants in
the area
Prayer mats, Quran,
payer time tables, qibla
direction
Ramadan services
Separate spa, gym and
pool times for men and
women
Separate spas, pools
and gyms for men and
women
No adult channels
Additional elements that can be
included:
 Architecture (e.g., orientation
of toilets away fromMecca)
 Artwork and decorations (e.g.,
avoid paintings or sculptures
of humans or animals)
 Financing and operations to
be consistent with Sharia’
 Code of conduct for
employees and guests
 On-site congregational prayer
and religious programming
 Coverage of non-hotel
accommodations (e.g.,
Muslim-friendly “home-
sharing”)
Source: DinarStandard