Deputy Minister of MOTAC, YB Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan (right), unveils the 4th World Islamic Tourism Conference (WITC)’s theme ‘Forging Connections’ alongside MOTAC Deputy Secretary-General (Management), YBhg. Dato’ Shaharuddin Abu Sohot (middle), and ITC Director-General, Nizran Noordin (left).
SELANGOR, 18 JULY 2024: Anticipation soars for the region’s premier Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH) event, the 4th World Islamic Tourism Conference (WITC), scheduled for 12 and 13 September this year. Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, became the first official registrant at its media launch event held at Sunway Resort Hotel in Bandar Sunway today.
The conference makes its long-awaited return, this year hosted at Sunway Resort Hotel. Registration is now open on WITC’s official site, https://witc.gov.my, with systemised online payment gateway assistance by event management software provider, Evenesis. This will facilitate the registration of the targeted 500 participants from across the tourism, hospitality, Halal, transportation and related industries, promoting discourse from cross-industries experts.
This year’s WITC promises a valuable experience centred around the theme “Forging Connections”, focusing on four key areas: Understanding Muslim Tourists, Muslim-friendly Travel and Community, Growth and Opportunity, and Inclusivity. Participants will gain insights from a lineup of renowned experts including:
- HE Dr Karomidin Gadoev, Ambassador, Embassy of Uzbekistan to Malaysia: Promoting Islamic Heritage as a Driver for Tourism
- Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Undersecretary, Department of Tourism Philippines: Standards: The Key to Winning Over Muslim Tourists
- Mirza Vejzagic, Vice President, Malaysia-Bosnia and Herzegovina Business Council: Islamic Finance and the Economic Opportunities for Muslim-Friendly Travel
- Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, Chief Executive Officer, Batik Air: Inspiring Entrepreneurship
- Omar Dacosta Shahid, Chief Executive Officer, Creed & Culture: Bringing the Non-Mainstream, Mainstream: Connecting Across Boundaries
Aligned with the theme “Forging Connections”, the 4th WITC is set to make history with Sunway Resort Hotel partnering up as a main strategic partner for the venue and official hotel. This collaboration underlines the significance of WITC in the global MFTH sector and exemplifies the essence of forging connections by uniting key industry players, strengthening strategic alliances and driving future growth within Malaysia and beyond, especially as Visit Malaysia 2026 beckons.
To encourage participation, ITC is offering an exclusive early bird discount of 50% for registrations before 31 August 2024. With the discount, Malaysians can secure their spot for RM125.00, while international delegates can register for USD50.00. The 4th WITC is also HRD Corp claimable for all eligible Malaysians. Payment methods are as follows:
- Online bank transfer via FPX participating banks
- E-wallet
- Debit or Credit card
- Debit or Credit card: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and AMEX
Nizran Noordin, Director-General of ITC confirmed: “WITC serves as a thought leadership conference for sharing insights, converging ideas and steering the future of sustainable Islamic Tourism. This year’s WITC will emphasise the essence of the conference, which is to bridge destinations, cultivate mutual understanding, strengthen economic collaboration, promote cultural exchange and drive innovation and sustainability.”
“Furthermore, the conference aims to garner support for Malaysia’s Umrah Transit Hub initiative, a socioeconomically equitable master plan benefitting Malaysia and all countries involved. This initiative will emphasise Malaysia’s influence as a leading Muslim-friendly destination in the region and its commitment to upholding sustainable tourism practices and enhancing cultural exchange across borders,” he added.
Earlier, this year, Malaysia was once again ranked as the Top Muslim-Friendly Destination (OIC) in the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) Report, maintaining its position since 2015. This accolade amplifies Malaysia as an ideal destination for Muslim travellers, adorned with an established MFTH ecosystem, culture, nature and modern attractions, suitable for leisure and business Muslim travellers. The Muslim tourist market, which constitutes the primary audience of Islamic Tourism and MFTH and is the focus of WITC, is projected to reach a substantial USD 225 billion by 2028, signalling the sector’s promising outlook.
ITC invites captains of the industry, industry innovators and tourism enthusiasts to the 4th World Islamic Tourism Conference on 12 and 13 September 2024 at Sunway Resort Hotel, Bandar Sunway, Selangor. Register now and take advantage of early bird prices and stay updated at https://witc.gov.my/. For the latest updates, visit ITC’s social media platforms (Instagram: itc_my, Facebook: Islamic Tourism Centre and LinkedIn: Islamic Tourism Centre) and email witc@itc.gov.my for enquiries.
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About Islamic Tourism Centre
Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) is an entity under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia, tasked to develop the Islamic Tourism segment for Malaysia. It advocates for Muslim-friendly tourism (MFT) by offering research and market intelligence, training, industry development consultation, Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH) services standards and recognition, and information exchange.
Malaysia was named the top country in the region in the MFTH sector by the State of the Global Islamic Economy (SGIE) Report 2022. The country also retained the top-ranked destination in the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2024, a position it has defended since the launch of the Index in 2015. Malaysia was also recognised as the Top Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year (OIC) and the Top Muslim Women-Friendly Destination of the Year in Halal in Travel Awards 2023.
In addition, ITC was named the recipient of the Strategic Business Alliance Award at The BrandLaureate World Halal Best Brand E-Branding Awards 2021. It is a recognition of ITC’s efforts and endeavours in formulating new strategies to meet the new normal of the business environment to ensure business continuity and sustainability, notwithstanding its role in developing and growing the Islamic tourism segment in Malaysia.
These recognitions are an added motivation for ITC to continue to strengthen its efforts in being a prime mover and leading institution to ensure Malaysia is at the forefront of MFTH.
For further details, kindly email comms@itc.gov.my or the following individuals:
Anis Ramli, Corporate Communications Division, ITC at 012 321 9137
Nadhirah Aripin, Corporate Communications Division, ITC at 019 356 0530
Ainaa Izzati, Corporate Communications Division, ITC at 010 266 2535
Khairul Iman, Corporate Communications Division, ITC at 013 289 2609
Islamic Tourism Centre,
Level 13, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia
No. 2 Tower 1, Jalan P5/6,
Precinct 5, 62200 Putrajaya, Malaysia
Tel: 03-8891 7177 or via email itc@itc.gov.my
Follow ITC on these social platforms:
Facebook: Islamic Tourism Centre
X: @itc_my
Instagram: @itc_my
YouTube: Islamic Tourism Centre
