Klojen (malangkota.go.id) – The government through the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) is increasingly promoting the development of halal tourism in Indonesia. One of them is in Malang Raya as a leading halal tourism destination in Indonesia.
Head of Tourism Destination Development for Area I Jakarta-Banten, Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Wastutik, said in his speech that in recent years, the growth of the halal tourism industry has been the largest in the tourism sector.
Based on the Ministry of Tourism's records, the growth of the world's halal tourism industry in 2018 was the largest in the tourism sector with Muslim tourist visits reaching 140 million. Targeted by 2026, Muslim tourist visits will reach 230 million with spending transactions of up to USD180 billion.
"The growth of halal tourism in Indonesia in 2018 reached 42 percent. Meanwhile, the target of world halal tourist visits to Indonesia in 2019 is five million or growing 42 percent compared to last year's 3,5 million," explained Wastutik after the Socialization, Strategy Design and Action Plan for Halal Tourism Development in Malang Raya held at the Malang City Hall Meeting Room, Monday (29/4).
Wastutik added, Malang Raya (Malang City, Malang Regency, and Batu City) has expressed its readiness to develop halal tourism. This can be seen from several requirements that the Malang City Government (Pemkot) has, one of which is related to the halal certification laboratory.
"Malang already has halal certification laboratories in five universities. This is our benchmark to assess the readiness of the Malang City Government in developing halal tourism," he explained.
Wastutik hopes that the design and strategy of the action plan that has been prepared by the Ministry of Tourism and stakeholders can understand the direction and key to the success of halal tourism, especially in Malang Raya.
"In addition, it can also increase visits by Muslim tourists and boost the economy of the Malang Raya region," said Wastutik.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Malang, Drs. H. Sutiaji, said that his party is increasingly ready to develop halal tourism in the Malang Raya area.
This was marked by the award received as one of the leading halal tourism destinations from the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism some time ago. "This is what spurred us to accelerate the development of halal tourism in Malang Raya," said Sutiaji.
Regarding halal certification, Sutiaji explained that his party has collaborated with five universities in Malang to provide guidance and facilitate culinary and hotel UMKM to obtain halal certification. "We have collaborated with halal laboratories in five universities and we have mapped them," he explained.
He hopes that the synergy between the central and regional governments and all stakeholders will accelerate the development of halal tourism in Malang Raya.
"This is a good momentum as a gift for the 105th anniversary of Malang City. Hopefully Malang Raya can become the best halal tourism destination in Indonesia," said Sutiaji.
Likewise, the Head of the Malang City Culture and Tourism Office (Disbudpar) Ida Ayu Made Wahyuni, SH, M.Si expressed her appreciation for the trust from the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism in making Malang City a halal tourism destination. According to her, this is a great opportunity that must be utilized together.
"There must be cooperation with all stakeholders on how to build a strategy so that the existing opportunities can bring benefits to the community," explained Ida.
Along with the trust that Malang City has gained, in the future, the Malang City Culture and Tourism Office will develop halal tourism, including by bringing in many Muslim tourists, especially from the Middle East.
Furthermore, his party will also map according to its classification, starting from markets, malls, destinations, to culinary. To map this, the Disbudpar party is also collaborating with halal center under five universities in Malang City.
"We hope that foreign tourist visits (visitors) to Malang, especially from the Middle East, can grow double digits," said Ida.
Currently, tourist visits from the Middle East to Malang City are still 10 percent of the number of foreign tourists visiting Malang City. In the future, it will continue to be encouraged so that there will be more visits to this City of Education. (cah/hms/yon)
