Islamic Tourism Research Articles

Islamic Tourism: Beyond Than Just Halal Food and a Place for Prayer

This paper is concerned with the Islamic tourism product that is shariah compliant accommodations. The overviews of Islamic tourism can be identified based on the literature review available. In Malaysia context, Islamic tourism can be defined as any activities, events and experience undertaken in a state of travel that is in accordance with Islamic teaching. This concept is widely discussed among the researchers as a result of the increasing number of Muslim travellers around the world recently. However, the Islamic tourism concept is always mistakenly understood where it is actually beyond than just halal food and availability of prayer places. The present studies focused on the operation stage, but the design and construction stage of shariah compliant hotel are remained undiscovered. Therefore, this paper will focus on the linkage of shariah compliant hospitality with construction industry during the design stage.

A study on the application to Halal tourism to promote islamic tourism market in Korea

A study on the application to Halal tourism to promote islamic tourism market in Korea

Factors influencing travel to Islamic destinations: an empirical analysis of Kuwaiti nationals

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of travel motivation, Muslim-friendly amenities and lifestyle, cognitive and affective destination image and quality of service on Kuwaiti travelers’ intentions to visit Islamic tourism destinations. Design/methodology/approach – A self-administered questionnaire consisting of multiple-item scales was developed. A convenience sample of 224 Kuwaitis was surveyed. The hierarchical regression analysis tested whether and how much the influencing factors predicted a significant amount of the variance in travel. The analysis was controlled for the effects of demographic variables. Findings – Travel motivation and cognitive and affective image had the largest significant effects on the Kuwaiti travelers’ intention to visit Islamic destinations. Contrary to expectations, the findings suggested that Muslim-friendly amenities and quality of service did not affect Kuwaitis’ travel decisions. Originality/value – This study provides a starting point for future empirical research into Islamic tourism in the Middle East. It provides an understanding of the importance of travel motivation and destination image in attracting Kuwaiti travelers to Islamic destinations.

Involvement and brand equity: a conceptual model for Muslim tourists

Purpose– The aim of this paper is to present a model in which the relationship between Muslims’ involvement with traveling to Islamic destinations and Islamic destination brand equity is investigated.Design/methodology/approach– Based on the existing theoretical and empirical research on involvement and brand equity in tourism marketing and the literature on Muslim tourists’ needs and culture, a conceptual model for Muslim tourists is developed. The model investigates the relationships between Muslims’ psychological motivations for traveling to Islamic destinations and the evaluation of destination Islamic brand.Findings– The study shows that the more Muslims are involved in traveling to Islamic destinations, the more likely they evaluate the key dimensions of destination Islamic brand. This is demonstrated by the influence of Muslims’ involvement on their awareness of Islamic destinations, their image of the Islamic destination attributes, the perceived quality of Islamic offerings, the perceived Islamic value and their loyalty toward Islamic destinations.Practical implications– The study evaluates the Islamic brand equity in the context of Islamic tourism destinations and in relation to Muslims’ interests in traveling to Islamic countries. The study contributes to better understand the Islamic destinations and how to maximize the benefits of their Islamic attributes. It is suggested that Islamic attributes should be highlighted more for Muslim tourists interested in traveling to Islamic countries. Investigating the concepts analyzed will help tourism destinations to integrate marketing and promotional campaigns and build a more powerful Islamic brand in Muslim markets.Originality/value– The relationship between involvement and brand equity has not been yet explored adequately, especially in the context of Islamic branding. This study adds to the previous studies in which the link between personal involvement with a specific destination and destination brand equity was explored. The role of Islamic values in this relationship is highlighted. The study contributes to destination branding studies by being one of the primary works, which applies the concept of brand equity to Islamic destinations.

Islamic tourism: an empirical examination of travel motivation and satisfaction in Malaysia

The objectives of this study are to test the relationship between tourism motivations and tourist satisfaction, and to test how ‘Religion’ moderates the relationship. The variable ‘Religion’ is represented by the availability of Islamic norms and practices relevant to tourism at the destination. The results of the partial least square indicate that tourism motivations are significantly and positively related to tourist satisfaction. The results also showed that Religion significantly moderates the relationship between pull motivation and tourist satisfaction. However, the moderating effect of Religion on the relationship between push motivation and tourist satisfaction was not supported.

The role of Islamic religiosity on the relationship between perceived value and tourist satisfaction

Although Muslims make up one of the largest tourist markets in the world, knowledge related to the Islamic perspective on tourism is still less represented in the related literature. This study aims to assemble the theoretical foundations of Islamic tourism thoughts in relation to modern tourism paradigms. It aims to investigate the moderating effect of Islamic religiosity on the relationship between Muslim customer perceived value (MCPV) and Muslim customer satisfaction. It studies a sample of 537 Muslim tourists and employs a positivist research approach with a quantitative basis of enquiry, a survey strategy through questionnaires, and structural equation modeling (SEM). Six dimensions of Muslim customer perceived value (quality, price, emotional value, social value, Islamic physical attributes value and Islamic non-physical attributes value) were found to have positive effects on Muslim consumer satisfaction. The findings of the study suggest that Islamic religiosity moderates the effects of Islamic physical attributes value and Islamic non-physical attributes value on Muslim customer satisfaction. The findings reinforce the importance of religiosity in understanding Muslim customer satisfaction and behavior.

The significance of partnership as a marketing strategy for Islamic spiritual tourism

Purpose– This paper aims to highlight the significance of partnership among stakeholders as a marketing strategy for Islamic spiritual tourism. Partnership as a marketing strategy is studied by interviewing stakeholders on the supply side of Islamic tourism. Only recently, Islamic spiritual tourism has been identified, not recognised yet, as a growing segment of Islamic tourism that needs to be effectively marketed.Design/methodology/approach– Convenient sampling was used in this exploratory research to select and interview tourism operators selling in-bound and out-bound Islamic spiritual tourism in Australia and Pakistan. Cross-case content analysis was used to identify critical themes related to marketing Islamic spiritual tourism.Findings– Three issues emerged from the content analysis in this study: political, commercial and religious. The management of these three issues is found necessary to effectively build and implement horizontal partnerships among stakeholders on the supply side in Islamic spiritual tourism.Research limitations/implications– The selected sample is not the representation of the population based in the two countries. Only few potential participants agreed to be interviewed due to the perceived threat of manipulation of their views. Findings of this research contribute to the theory of marketing Islamic tourism specifically, and tourism in general.Practical implications– The three issues found in this study provide a guideline for crafting strategies to market Islamic spiritual tourism based on local and global partnerships.Social implications– The three issues found in this study provide a platform for cultural understanding and coherence.Originality/value– This original study advocates partnerships among tourism operators, government bodies, destination managers and religious organisations involved in Islamic spiritual tourism. The structure and implementation of partnerships should critically consider the political, commercial and religious issues.

Is Islamic tourism a viable option for Tunisian tourism? Insights from Djerba

Interest in Muslim-oriented tourism is growing worldwide, which leads to the need to deepen and expand current scholarship on the long-neglected relationship between Islam and tourism. Tunisia was one of the first Muslim countries to promote tourism, developing its capacity to accommodate primarily Western tourists. Taking into account the political debate and institutional actions following the Jasmine Revolution, this research investigates the opinions of a group of 14 key informants in Djerba – one of the leading Tunisian destinations – regarding the possibility of developing a tourism industry closer to Muslim customers' wishes and more in line with Islamic beliefs. This study shows that the idea has not been rejected altogether but rather is of growing interest, especially among tourism industry operators. Yet, whilst the potential of Muslim-oriented tourism is recognised, developing it is not currently considered a priority.

The Role of Destination Attributes in Islamic Tourism

The objectives of this study are to test the relationship between tourism motivations and tourist satisfaction, and to test how ‘Religion’ moderates the relationship. The variable ‘Religion’ is represented by the availability of Islamic norms and practices which are relevant to tourism at the destination. The results of the Partial least square (PLS) indicated that the tourism motivations are significantly and positively related to tourist satisfaction. The results also showed that Religion significantly moderates the relationship between pull motivation and tourist satisfaction. However, the moderating effect of Religion on the relationship between push motivation and tourist satisfaction was not supported.

Islamic tourism as a factor of the Middle East regional development

For long time tourism, except pilgrimage travels, has been considered as culturally inappropriate and economically unnecessary phenomenon by Arab governments. At the beginning of 21st century, many Arab states developed their tourism industries in order to diversify their economies (in the case of GCC states = Gulf Cooperation Council) or to earn foreign currency (in the case of Arab Mediterranean states). Middle East importance for global stability derives from its immense oil reserves and its status as the epicenter of Muslim culture. The majority of their demand for tourism originates from neighboring countries. The time of unrest in this part of the world has brought a need for local travelers to stay within the same cultural environment when making holiday destination choices.

The invention of al-Andalus: discovering the past and creating the present in Granada's Islamic tourism sites

In a 2008 survey by the Pew Research Centre, 52% of Spaniards confessed to having negative views of Muslims. Yet, one of the most profitable segments of Spain's tourism industry is built on marketing the concept of convivencia, the supposedly harmonious coexistence of Christians, Muslims, and Jews in the medieval Iberian Peninsula. This article examines Granada's tourism industry as a site for mapping Spain's contradictory relationship with the Islamic world and with its own Islamic past. Granada is a privileged site for this examination: the former Naṣrid capital not only boasts the most famous of Andalusi travel destinations, the Alhambra, but also hosts a large population of Moroccan immigrants and of Spanish converts to Islam. Building on the polysemy of the word ‘invention’ – which can mean both ‘discovery’ and ‘creation’ – this article investigates three different inventions of al-Andalus in Granada's tourism industry. First, I explore the nineteenth-century Romantic ‘re-discovery’ of Andalucía's ‘Oriental’ past. Second, I analyse one of the most visible tourist initiatives in contemporary Granada related to the promotion of the Andalusi past: the Legado Andalusí Foundation. My analysis demonstrates how the work of the Legado Andalusí Foundation has been shaped by the Romantic ‘discovery’ of al-Andalus, as well as by Andalusian nationalist thought and by the discourse of Spanish colonialism in Morocco. In the concluding section, I consider the debates surrounding Islam and Moroccan immigration in Granada's Albayzín neighbourhood, a ‘traditional’ Arab area where the Islamic Community in Spain (Comunidad Islámica en España) recently inaugurated the first mosque to be built in Granada since 1492.

Islamic spiritual tourism: an innovative marketing framework

This conceptual paper presents an innovative marketing framework to recognise Islamic spiritual tourism as a significant type of Islamic tourism. The presentation of the theoretical conceptualisation of Islamic spiritual tourism is based on the study of literature and observations of innovative tourism business practices. The literature on Islamic, spiritual and innovative tourism marketing was reviewed. The innovative marketing framework suggests that Islamic spiritual tourism is a subset of Islamic and halal tourism, while pilgrimage and Muslim religious tourism are its subsets. This unique study emphasises upon the acceptance of the market for Islamic spiritual tourism that is a combination of religious travels among Muslims such as Hajj, Umrah, Rihla and Ziyara. Tourism marketers could focus on this niche market of Muslim spiritual tourists to design their innovative marketing strategies. An empirical study of attitudes and behaviour of Muslims engaged in Islamic spiritual tourism is a palpable future research direction.

The Potential of Arabic as a Tourism Language in Malaysia

Use of Arabic language is seen as to play its role in Malaysian tourism industry. It is common that Arabic is the language of communication for Arab tourists with tourism agents and members of the public such as taxi drivers, traders, security officers and so on. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of Arabic language in Malaysian tourism industry. This study used both quantitative and qualitative using questionnaire and interview instruments. As for the quantitave data, the sampling technique involves 10 tourists whereas for the qualitative data an officer from the Islamic Tourism Center was interviewed. It was found in this study that the potential of Arabic language in the tourism industry was most encouraging. The number of the Arab tourists coming to visit is seen to be increasing if related information thas was needed by the tourists can be introduced in Arabic such as in the form of brochurers and signboards as well as television programmes. Besides, Arabic language was expected to be able to create job oppotunities for the local people and subsequently to be able to increase the national economy. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n7p490

Developing Islamic Tourism in Kazakhstan: A Result of a Religious Revival or a New Trend of Tourism

Developing Islamic Tourism in Kazakhstan: A Result of a Religious Revival or a New Trend of Tourism

DMA Model: Understanding Digital Marketing Adoption and Implementation by Islamic Tourism Organizations

Islamic studies and Islamic research have gained a lot of interest and considerable attention from researchers, policy makers, and practitioners during the last few years as a result of the demanding desire to know more about Islam. However, regardless of the dominant position held by Islamic studies and Islamic research in today's research world, Islamic tourism is still very much less presented in the literature. this article aims to explore, analyze, and develop a clear understanding about the different factors affecting the adoption of digital marketing (D-marketing) by Islamic tourism organizations (ItOs) by building on the current body of knowledge in the field. the article systematically reviews the literature related to digital marketing adoption to understand its adoption by organizations working in Islamic tourism sectors. Based on this review and through linking digital marketing, technology adoption, technology diffusion, and Islamic Shariah theories, a conceptual model that links five factors (namely: internal environmental forces, external environmental forces, digital marketing adoption, digital marketing implementation, and digital marketing performance) is proposed to provide a clear understanding about the different factors affecting the adoption of digital marketing by Islamic tourism organizations. Future research is encouraged to build on this framework to test how internal and external environmental forces of Islamic tourism enterprises, along with its digital marketing implementation, influence its performance.

Architecture of Heritage Mosques in Mafraq Province

This study discusses the architectural attributes of 35 heritage mosques in Mafraq Province, established in the early Arabic Islamic ages. The researchers adopted the field study approach and the comparative descriptive method approach. The study focuses on mosques characterized by simplicity of the form without complexity in the architectural vocabulary, consisting of three major components: the praying hall, the mehrab, and the pulpit (manbar), whereas other mosques also contain other components, such as a minaret and a place for ablution (wudoo). Despite the obvious similarity in construction materials and methods, differences are evident in the periods of construction, the political circumstances, and the natural environment, which affected the production of different forms and relatively varied architectural styles of these mosques. The research recommends expanded study of these mosques and urges leaders to expedite plans to preserve them and make use of them for tourism development projects in general and for Islamic religious tourism in particular.

The Value of Islamic Tourism: Perspectives from the Turkish Experience

The aims of this article are twofold. One is to propose a framework to better understand the terms Islamic tourism and value. Marketing scholars have long studied perceived value and proposed various conceptualisations of the term. However, further explorations are needed to broaden the concept so as to fit the needs and expectations of Muslim consumers. Although Muslims make up one of the largest tourist markets in the world, the perceived value of tourism offerings oriented toward this market has not been clearly defined. Therefore, a framework to present an Islamic view of the concept constitutes the first aim of this article. A second aim is to provide an overview of the halal tourism market in Turkey. Current developments in the Turkish halal tourism market and the value of Turkish tourism offerings are discussed in detail. Current issues and proposals for future studies are addressed at the end of the article.

Tourism and the Halal Industry: A Global Shari'ah Perspective

Upon first glance, Islamic tourism seems only to cater for the needs of millions of Muslims around the globe who are performing hajj or umrah, visiting Mecca and Medina, or the shrines of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq. Yet in many ways Islamic tourism is lagging behind more conventional forms of international tourism and has yet to realise its fuller potentials. This article addresses the shariah concepts of halal and haram and their manifestations in the halal industry and tourism in two main areas: market developments of interest to halal tourism internationally and those that have taken place in Malaysia. Other topics discussed are halal certification procedures, the role of fatwas in the determination of halal, and more generally the return of Islamic values to the market place. The final segment of this article addresses the role of custom, culture, and religion as they are manifested in the behaviour of Muslim travellers and tourists.

The Role of Religion and Islam in the Tourism Industry of Iran

Religious issues have always influenced the touristic activities. In religious communities and specifically in Muslim communities, some religious commandments have overwhelmed the quantity and quality of tourism. Considering the reciprocity between religion and the tourism industry this article deals with the role of religion (Islam) in tourism industry in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this respect it studies the relationship between Islam and tourism, aspects of the interconnection between slam and tourism, manners of Muslims as hosts and guests, and finally the international collaboration in Islamic tourism industry.

Islamic tourism as an ideological construction: A Jordan study case

In early 2001, the Jordanian Ministry of Awqâf1 and Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities endorsed a new branch of tourism: Islamic tourism. This new policy has economic, cultural and religious dimensions, and targets Muslim as well as Westerner tourists. It focuses on promoting visitation of the newly rebuilt mausoleums of the pre-Islamic prophets and the Companions of Prophet Muhammad all over the territory and specifically along the Jordan Valley. This article argues that Islamic tourism is noteworthy for the way it reveals the politics heritage in Jordan. Patrimony, heritage and religious archaeology are being used politically in the context of the development of Islamic tourism. They are used by the Jordanian government and by the Hashemite regime to give a specific representation of the Jordanian Islamic history. In this case, history is being recast to present Jordan and its Monarchy as central actors in Islamic history and as preferential representatives in terms of diplomacy and international relations especially with the Western countries.