Halal Tourism Research Articles

Pilgrimage Tourism to Wali Tombs and Halal Destination Management Based on Sharia Values

This study explores the relationship between pilgrimage tourism to Wali tombs and halal tourism, focusing on the integration of Sharia values in the management of religious destinations. In the context of East Java, this research examines the application of Sharia principles by site managers to maintain the sanctity and integrity of the sites, as well as its impact on the experience of Muslim tourists. The study uses a qualitative approach with a case study method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with site managers, tourists, and local communities, along with direct field observations. The findings show that the application of Sharia management in site operations not only enhances tourist satisfaction but also strengthens the local economy and cultural preservation. However, the study also found a lack of understanding of Sharia values among some site managers. This research provides recommendations for site managers to create tourist destinations aligned with Sharia principles, supporting the growth of halal tourism in Indonesia. It is hoped that the results of this study can serve as a reference for developing policies on sustainable and responsible religious tourism.This study has several limitations, including the geographical scope limited to East Java and restricted access to all pilgrimage site managers. Therefore, the findings cannot be generalized to all religious tourism destinations in Indonesia. Further research covering a broader area is recommended to enrich the findings.

Implementasi dan Perkembangan Halal Tourism pada Destinasi Pariwisata Lombok

Lombok has long been touted as a "new Bali" tourism destination. Along with the changing times, changes in tourist trends also develop and begin to recognize various new types of tourism. Lombok has a uniqueness that is thick with Islamic nuances. Therefore, Lombok applies a type of Muslim-friendly tourism / halal tourism. Muslim-friendly tourism types have been implemented indirectly by tourism actors in Lombok. Visits to various tourism destinations in Lombok were taken as samples representing the city. With qualitative descriptive research methods, the author wants to present observations supported by exposure to documentation and interviews. The author also bases research on a theory tested in reality, especially in Lombok tourism destinations. Based on the study results, several Lombok tourism destinations still need help implementing Muslim-friendly tourism. Problems are known both from destination location factors and market segmentation factors. However, some locations have been found to have long-term development opportunities that make it possible to implement Muslim-friendly tourism as a whole through certain efforts. The fulfillment of the minimum requirements for Muslim-friendly tourism does not have a coercive nature but has the opportunity to influence tourists' interest in visiting. Therefore, the Lombok government, with Muslim-friendly tourism branding together with stakeholders, maintains and improves the quality of tourism services for the sustainability of Lombok's tourism economy.

Research trends of halal tourism: a bibliometric analysis

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze studies on halal tourism in Scopus from 2010 to 2021 and reveal trends, impacts, the most influential articles and future research trends. Design/methodology/approach The study used data from Scopus in 2010 to 2021 with the topic of halal tourism and obtained 122 data publications. This study uses bibliometric analysis with Biblioshiny analysis tools. Findings Halal tourism attracts the attention of academics and practitioners. This study analyzed 122 publications from 2010 to 2021 in Scopus, showing an increase in author contributions of 39.1% per year, peaking in 2021. The most influential article was the work of Battour and Ismail (2016), which emphasized Islamic principles in halal tourism. Mohamed Battour is the lead author, with Indonesia and Malaysia as the leading countries. Future research trends include halal tourist motivation, marketing strategies, mobile applications and artificial intelligence in supporting halal tourism. Collaboration between halal destinations and other industries is also important. Research limitations/implications Database searches were only performed on Scopus, so publications not scanned here could not be analyzed. The search for data from this research is also only based on the title regarding halal tourism. Thus, another article that discusses halal tourism but does not have the word “halal tourism” in the title cannot be analyzed. Originality/value This research is different from previous research in that this study examines literature published in Scopus on the study of halal tourism from 2010 to 2021.

Exploring the Readiness of the Hospitality Industries in Sorsogon City for Halal Tourism

This study utilized a mixed method research design to evaluate the readiness of hospitality industries in Sorsogon City for halal tourism. Hotel owners, managers, and staff from 14 DOT-accredited establishments served as primary respondents. The research assessed the hospitality industry’s preparedness to cater to the growing Muslim tourist market. It examined stakeholders’ awareness of halal principles, focusing on food, amenities, and facilities. Challenges and strategies for halal tourism adoption were also explored. Findings revealed a fair level of readiness among hotel owners in providing halal food and alcohol- free environments, but a lower capacity to offer diverse halal amenities and facilities. Hotel staff demonstrated fair readiness in accommodating Muslim guests. Key challenges included infrastructure limitations, staff training needs, and operational complexities. Based on these findings, an action plan for promoting halal tourism in Sorsogon City was developed. This study contributes to fostering inclusivity and cultural diversity within the Philippine tourism industry.

Exploring Gastronomy Tourism as Potential Halal Tourism Products: Preliminary Study of Tourist Perception on Baba Nyonya Cuisines

Gastronomy tourism has gained prominence globally, offering local and international tourists unique experiences for their taste palettes. The demand for Halal food among Muslim tourists has significantly increased as more people seek authentic and culturally appropriate dining experiences when travelling. This paper examines gastronomy tourism from the perspective of Islamic tourism, focusing on the Baba Nyonya cuisine; a combination of Chinese and Malay flavors as a viable Halal tourism product, aligned with the growing demand for Halal-certified options in the tourism industry. Factors of Halal certification, cultural familiarity, food awareness, and involvement, were explored. A structured survey was distributed to 385 tourists around Banda Hilir, Melaka, to explore Baba Nyonya cuisine's potential as a gastronomy tourism attraction. Baba Nyonya cuisine was found to be a promising attraction for Halal-conscious tourists. Interestingly, the Baba Nyonya cuisine appealed more to non-Halal food enthusiasts compared to a Halal option among Muslim tourists, since few of the Baba Nyonya restaurants were not Halal certified. This study underscores opportunities to increase the variety of Halal-certified foods and provide insights for travel marketers and local cuisine operators to capitalize on Baba Nyonya cuisines, thus pinning Malaysia as a leading destination for Halal gastronomy tourism.

Determining intention to visit halal destinations from the perspective of the push-pull-mooring framework

PurposeThe rapid growth of halal tourism over the past decade has made it a lucrative market, with destinations competing for Muslim travellers. This study examines the factors influencing tourists' intention to visit halal tourism destinations in Indonesia, using the push-pull-mooring (PPM) model to understand this phenomenon.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 328 usable responses were used to analyse the data. The proposed conceptual framework was tested using covariant-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM).FindingsResults indicate that push, pull and mooring motives positively influence visit intention towards halal tourism destinations. Among these motives, novelty seeking, escapism, halal-friendly destination performance, halal attributes of the destination, religiosity and subjective norms were the most critical factors that improved visit intention. Furthermore, the moderating role of mooring factors was also established.Practical implicationsThe study makes several strategic suggestions for promoting halal tourism destinations. These include highlighting the destination’s halal index factor to attract Muslim tourists and develop the industry market.Originality/valueResearch in halal tourism is still emerging, and this study aims to enhance our understanding of Muslim travellers. Using the PPM framework, it provides valuable insights into Muslim tourists' intentions to visit halal destinations.

Penguatan Kewenangan BPJPH dalam Pengawasan Sertifikasi Halal di Sektor Pariwisata: Analisis Hukum Terhadap Implikasi Penundaan Kewajiban Sertifikasi Halal 2024-2026

This study explores the legal implications of the postponement of the halal certification requirement in Indonesia's tourism sector until 2026, focusing on strengthening the authority of the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) in supervising and enforcing halal standards. This postponement creates significant challenges in the application of the Lex Superior Derogat Legi Inferiori principle and results in a legal vacuum (rechtsvacuum) that could undermine legal certainty. The study employs a descriptive approach with qualitative analysis involving in-depth interviews with BPJPH officials and constitutional law academics, as well as a review of documents related to halal regulations. The findings indicate that the postponement of halal certification negatively impacts regulatory compliance, damages Indonesia's image as a halal tourism destination, and necessitates strict legal measures to address the legal vacuum and strengthen BPJPH's authority. Practical recommendations are provided to enhance oversight and law enforcement to maintain the integrity of halal standards in Indonesia during this postponement period.

Edukasi Konsep Pengembangan Halal Tourism Wisata Pantai Pengubaian dalam Meningkatkan Kepuasan Wisatawan di Kabupaten Kaur

The development of halal tourism in Indonesia has become one of the priorities to increase tourist satisfaction, especially in areas with a majority Muslim population. Pengubaian Beach has great potential to develop the concept of halal tourism. However, until now the concept has not been applied optimally. This community service program aims to provide education to tourism actors and local communities about the importance of developing halal tourism at Pengubaian Beach. The methods used include Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and socialization with the Kaur Regency Tourism Office. The results of this activity show an increase in the understanding and awareness of tourism actors, the local community towards the concept of halal tourism, with the hope of being able to increase the attractiveness of Pengubaian Beach as a sustainable tourist destination.

Assessing the impact of supporting facilities on the development of halal tourism: A bibliometric review

This bibliometric review evaluates the research progress and knowledge structure regarding the impact of supporting facilities on halal tourism development. Using the Scopus database and bibliometric analysis with the “bibliometrix” package in R, the study covers the period from 2016 to 2023. The search, employing keywords like “halal tourism,” “facilities,” “infrastructure,” and “local support,” identified 26 relevant publications. The findings highlight a limited body of research, with the Journal of Islamic Marketing being the most active publisher in this area, contributing six articles. Indonesia emerges as a leading contributor to halal tourism research, driven by its significant Muslim population and the economic potential of this niche market. Key facilities, such as mosques, musholla, and high-quality halal food options, are identified as crucial factors influencing Muslim travelers’ destination choices. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape on supporting facilities in halal tourism and highlights opportunities for future investigation to further enrich the field.

Integrating Human Resource Development and Halal Tourism Strategies for Sustainable Development in Indonesia

This research aims to explore the integration of human resource development (HRD) into the growth of the halal tourism industry in Indonesia. Using a literature review method, the study examines strategies to enhance the sector's sustainable competitive advantage by focusing on HRD initiatives, including employee training, cultural competence, and service quality improvement in accordance with sharia principles. The findings indicate that while Indonesia has great potential in halal tourism, several barriers such as institutional readiness, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory gaps hinder its full development. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation, strategic marketing, and regulatory alignment to overcome these challenges. Recommendations include investing in human capital and fostering innovation to ensure Indonesia’s positioning as a global leader in halal tourism.

Analisis Pengaruh Religiusitas, Literasi Halal, dan Sikap Konsumtif Terhadap Preferensi Wisatawan pada Pariwisata Halal di Solok

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of three main factors: Religiousness, Halal Literacy, and Consumer Attitude on halal tourism preferences in Solok. The method employed in this research is Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS). The study involved 150 participants from various segments of society. The analysis results indicate that Halal Literacy significantly and positively contributes to consumer preferences in choosing halal tourism destinations. Conversely, Religiousness shows a negative influence on tourist preferences, suggesting that religious understanding does not always play a primary role in tourism decision-making. On the other hand, Consumer Attitude exhibits a significant positive impact on tourist preferences in Solok. These findings have significant implications for the halal tourism industry in Solok, highlighting the importance of halal literacy awareness and consumer attitudes towards halal products in enhancing the attractiveness of tourism destinations.

Development of Halal Tourism Organization in Banda Aceh City

The national long-term development strategy includes the development of tourism as a core component. This program is supported by the issuance of special regulations Letter No. 17 of 2016 addressed to the Mayor of Banda Aceh on the Introduction of Halal Tourism. The current research aims to analyze and examine the policies of the Banda Aceh City Government in organizing Halal Tourism and providing supporting facilities and infrastructure for it. The method used is qualitatively descriptive. Both primary and secondary data sources are employed. Data were obtained through interviews, observation, and documentation. Based on the results of the research and findings in the field, it was found that the Banda Aceh City Government's policy in organizing Halal Tourism in Banda Aceh City is considered to be good and its implementation is also good because of the high community support while carrying out the policy. However, improvements in facilities and infrastructure are still needed to perfect the introduction of Halal tourism in Banda Aceh City. The findings show that t the implementation of halal tourism policies in the City of Banda Aceh is supported by a large number of people who ensure that the City of Banda Aceh becomes a city that adheres to Islamic law and participates in supporting and advancing halal tourism in the city. Keywords: policy, development, halal tourism, City of Banda Aceh

EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF HALAL TOURISM STANDARDS ON INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL CHOICES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF KEY DESTINATIONS

The rapid growth of the global Muslim population has led to a significant increase in demand for Halal tourism and hospitality services. This study aims to explore the impact of Halal tourism standards on international travel choices, focusing on a comparative analysis of key destinations that have implemented varying levels of Halal compliance. The research examines how the presence and promotion of Halal-friendly amenities, including Halal-certified food, prayer facilities, and culturally appropriate services, influence the travel decisions of Muslim tourists. Furthermore, the study evaluates the challenges faced by non-Muslim-majority countries in adopting these standards and the potential economic benefits that can be derived from catering to the Halal tourism market. By analyzing data from different regions, this research provides insights into the effectiveness of Halal tourism practices and offers recommendations for enhancing the appeal of destinations to Muslim travelers.

Tourism Education Development on the Coastline: Challenges Empirical Study on Islamic Law Province

Tourism is one of the contributors to the country’s foreign exchange. Aceh has abundant natural resources. However, natural wealth without adequate human resources cannot be processed as natural resources. Apart from that, the issue of sharia tourism or halal tourism is a debate that affects the smooth running of tourism in Aceh. This research aimed to explore the challenges of developing tourism education in the coastal region of Aceh. The method used was a qualitative descriptive approach. Data collection was carried out using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observation, and searching for important documents from both tourism education institutions and agencies related to tourism development in Aceh. The research results found that Aceh has abundant natural resources both in terms of religious tourism, natural tourism, and historical and cultural tourism. However, educational institutions in Aceh to support tourism were still very minimal, especially for universities; Aceh only had one study program at a private university. Meanwhile, the challenge faced in developing tourism education was the lack of professional teaching staff in the tourism sector, apart from educational institutions, which were also still minimal. Likewise, Sharia tourism regulations were not yet legally strong. This research recommends that the government pay more massive attention to Tourism Education Institutions in Aceh.

Community Behavior towards Plastic Waste: Case Study in Nagari Batu Basa as a Traditional Village

Sumatra Barat is a halal tourist area but many people throw rubbish carelessly. This phenomenon is a big problem, because environmental issues and waste are world issues. This study reveals the causes of people's behavior of littering using quantitative and qualitative methods. Using 30 observers who monitored community activities for 10 days. The population of this research is the people of Nagari Batu Basa, Pariangan Tanah Datar, Sumatra Barat, consisting of three Jorong (hamlet), Jorong Batu Basa, Jorong Koto Baru, and Jorong Sialahan. The results of the study reveal that people's behavior is to throw rubbish into the river because there are no regulations from the government, there are no rubbish bins, and there is no community initiative to make rubbish bins. People throwing rubbish carelessly has become a habit. People do not care about plastic waste because they do not have knowledge and understanding about plastic waste. Education about waste is also not provided to school students. Apart from that, the government does not pay special attention to plastic waste. The results of this study prove that regulations have an important role in shaping people's behavior in managing waste, especially plastic waste.

Analysis of Halal Certification in Small and Medium Industries in the Development of Halal Tourism in Tourism Areas in North Sumatra

Halal Certificate is an important thing for Small and Medium Industries to have in terms of marketing their products and for the economic welfare of the people. Likewise, for Small and Medium Industries located in Tourism Areas where it can develop Halal Tourism in these tourist areas. However, in reality there are many obstacles faced by Small and Medium Industries in terms of issuing these halal certificates. This study uses the Mix Methode research method where the authors conduct Indept Interviews with experts and business people then provide questionnaires to business people regarding the process of making halal certificates for the businesses they run. The procedures for making halal certification for Small and Medium Industries (SMIs) in the development of Halal Tourism in Tourism Areas in North Sumatra include: understanding halal certification requirements and attending halal assurance system (SJH) training, implementing a halal assurance system (SJH), preparing halal certification documents, registering halal certification (uploading data), conducting preaudit monitoring and payment of certification contracts, conducting audits, conducting post-audit monitoring, obtaining halal certificates. The results of this study indicate that only 50% of SMEs understand about halal certificates and procedures for making them. The obstacles in making halal certificates are not believing in the importance of halal certification for their business, not believing in the importance of halal certification for their business. For SMEs that have succeeded in having a Halal Certificate after a simple Linear Regression Test the results show that Halal certificates have a positive and significant effect on SME income of 77.7%.

Integrating halal tourism principles into Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs

The research note highlights the potential of integrating Halal principles with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to better cater to Muslim travelers’ motivations. It proposes a model incorporating spiritual and religious dimensions into Maslow’s traditional psychological frameworks, aiming to offer a comprehensive understanding of motivations in Halal tourism. This integration enriches academic discourse and provides practical insights for the tourism industry, promoting more inclusive, respectful, and culturally sensitive tourism practices.

Implementation of Halal Industry Policy as A Support for Halal Tourism In Lombok

In recent years, Lombok has emerged as a leading halal tourist destination in Indonesia and globally, supported by halal policies aimed at attracting Muslim and local tourists. These policies, including the Regional Regulation of West Nusa Tenggara Province Number 2 of 2016 on Halal Tourism and Law Number 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Guarantee, have positively impacted the tourism industry. This study addresses three main questions: (1) How are halal industry policies implemented to support halal tourism in Lombok? (2) How has the halal industry developed to support this tourism? (3) What are the supporting and inhibiting factors in implementing these policies?. The research is descriptive with a qualitative approach, using primary data from interviews and secondary data from relevant documents. Purposive sampling was employed, targeting officials from the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Tourism and Industry Offices, the Indonesian Ulema Council of West Nusa Tenggara, tourism business actors, MSMEs, foreign and domestic tourists, and local communities. Data collection involved interviews, observation, and documentation, with data analysis through reduction, collection, and summarization. The study finds that implementing halal industrial policies has increased Muslim tourist numbers and strengthened Lombok's image as a halal destination. However, challenges remain, such as developing specialized halal tourism areas according to regional regulations without disrupting conventional tourism, improving services, providing halal facilities, and offering education and training for industry players.

The Importance Level of Islamic Tourism Attributes: Will Religiosity Distinguish?

Research Originality: How Islamic attribute fulfilment may influence Muslim tourists' preferences has been widely known. Yet, the way the model is examined the other way around is relatively scarce in halal tourism literature. The originality of this research lies in the model use in testing the effect of companion type and destination choice, moderated by different levels of religiosity, on Muslim tourists’ assessment of the importance of Islamic attributes in halal tourism.Research Objectives: This study aims to examine the effect of Muslim tourists’ preferences in terms of companion type and destination choice, moderated by their level of religiosity, on their assessment of the importance of Islamic attributes in halal tourism. Research Methods: Friedman and Cochran's Q non-parametric tests were conducted on 189 data collected online to examine the direct effects of companion type, destination choice, and religiosity on Muslim tourists’ assessment of the importance of Islamic attributes. Model 1 of the Hayes Process Macro with binary logistic was employed to examine the moderating effect of religiosity.Empirical Results: The results showed that companion type, religiosity, and destination choice significantly affected Indonesian Muslim travellers' assessment of the importance of Islamic attributes. However, the moderating role of religiosity was not observed.Implications: The findings have implications for Muslim travellers' decision-making literature and may offer better strategies for tourism businesses to attract and retain more Muslim tourists.JEL Classification: C14, C83, Z12, Z32How to Cite:Suci, A., Wiyati, R., Siregar, I. F., & Nanda, S. T. (2024). The Importance Level of Islamic Tourism Attributes: Will Religiosity Distinguish? Etikonomi, 23(2), 433 – 448. https://doi.org/10.15408/etk.v23i1.34369.

Revisiting Indonesia halal tourism policy in light of GATS

PurposeAs a growth industry in the international tourism segment market, halal tourism domestic policy should align with General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) as an international trade in services regulation. This paper aims to examine Indonesia’s halal tourism policy and its intersection with obligations as a member state of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Particularly in balancing Indonesia’s international obligation and the right to regulate.Design/methodology/approachThe present study uses normative legal research by analysing legal materials, primarily GATS and Indonesia’s halal tourism policy. By using this methodology, this paper seeks the normative ideal domestic approach that aligns with Indonesia’s international obligations within GATS.FindingsRegional regulations primarily govern the halal tourism policy in Indonesia. The critical substance of the regulation is the mandatory halal certification for the implementation of halal tourism. This obligation may be incompatible with Indonesia’s commitment to liberalise the tourism sector under the GATS. The current legal framework gives rise to a lack of consistency in its application despite its adherence to the halal tourism standards established by the MUI. At the same time, the provincial and regent authorities lacked the authority to do so. The authors argue that halal tourism policy shall be promulgated in the national-level policy to settle this issue. This measure is necessary to mitigate conflicts between prevailing norms and Indonesia’s international commitments within GATS. Therefore, Indonesia can uphold both its international obligations and national interests.Originality/valueThis paper presents a novelty contribution by highlighting the absence of prior research examining Indonesia’s adherence to its international commitments under the GATS in formulating domestic legislation on halal tourism. To close this gap, this study suggests that national legislation governing halal tourism should consider international obligations in the tourism sector under the GATS.