Solutions for developing a tourism service chain for the Muslim market in Central Viet Nam were put on the spotlight at the Saturday seminar in Da Nang.

Businesses are very interested in food, accommodation for the Muslim tourist market. Photo: THU HA

The event was co-organised by the Duy Nhat Indochina Tourism Co., Ltd, the National Tourism Administration of Malaysia in Viet Nam, the Islamic Tourism Centre under the Malaysian Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism, and the Department of Tourism.

It was attended by representatives of more than 100 enterprises involving tourism, hotel, restaurant and travel in Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam.

In his remarks at the seminar, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism Nguyen Xuan Binh said that Islam was one of the potential markets that needs to be promoted. Before COVID-19, Da Nang welcomed the majority of Muslim tourists from Indonesia and Malaysia via the Air Asia-operated Da Nang - Kualalumpur air route, and from some countries in the Middle East via the Qatar Airways-operated Da Nang - Doha air route.

Recently, the municipal Department of Tourism has coordinated with Vietjet Air to organise tourism promotion activities in India - one of the largest Muslim tourist markets, and inaugurated the Da Nang – Mumbai air route, thereby creating favourable conditions to attract Muslim visitors from this country.

According to Director Binh, the Da Nang government and those in the hospitality industry were required to have a good understanding of the culture and the special needs of Muslim tourists in order to effectively attract this potential international tourist market.

For instance, Muslim guests only eat Halal food or are in need of prayer rooms. Also, the demand for travel of Muslim tourists is very high after the month of Ramadan - the most sacred month in Islamic culture.

Mr. Binh hoped that the seminar will offer many practical solutions to attract this potential tourist market, hereby providing visitors with what they need, not just what they have available.

Some Da Nang-based accommodation establishments have been interested in food for the Muslim market. Photo: THU HA

Mr. Nguyen Son Thuy, Director of the Duy Nhat Indochina Tourism Company, said that the world Muslim tourism market is large and has developed strongly over the years. According to the Global Islam Index 2021 report, travel tourism grew from 108 million visitors in 2013 to 160 million in 2019.

After COVID-19, Muslim travel has grown strongly and is forecasted to recover 80% in 2023 compared to 2021.

In recent years, Viet Nam has welcomed many international Muslim tourists. However, this tourist market has not been really focused, and has not created opportunities for the extensive investment in specific tourism services in localities and main destinations throughout the country.

“During many years of working with Muslim countries, we have found that the Muslim tourism community often discourages tourists from traveling to countries or destinations where the conditions of facilities, cuisine, and beliefs are not favourable or not suitable for their particular consumption habits and travel methods” Mr. Thuy said.

He, therefore, stressed the need for tourism firms to develop different international market orientations to diversify markets, create space, and create business opportunities for tourism businesses to participate in tourism development.

Mrs. Marina Muhamad, Director of the Islamic Tourism Centre, underlined a must-do for Da Nang to develop Halal services, Halal food and prayer areas for Muslims so that they can feel convenient and safe.

Reporting by THU HA - Translating by M.DUNG