IPOH, PERAK, 30 JULY 2026: Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), and the Association of the Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the MATTA CONNECT Dinner at AC Hotel Ipoh in efforts to expand cross-border tourism and develop the regional Muslim-friendly travel market.
The collaboration will see ITC, MATTA, and ASITA working together on training, industry standards, and joint marketing to advance Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH).
Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition (MFAR) Training Programme
For a start, travel agencies in Indonesia will be invited to participate in the Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition (MFAR) Training Programme. The training provides practical skills and knowledge to cater to the growing Muslim travel market.
The main goal is to make travel experiences smoother for international Muslim guests. By giving Indonesian businesses the right understanding about Muslim traveller needs and clear guidelines, the programme helps local operators meet global travel standards and serve their guests better.
MOU Signatories
| Organisation | Signatory | Designation |
|---|---|---|
|
ITC |
Mr. Mohammad Faisal bin Abu Suaib Khan |
Director General of ITC |
|
MATTA |
Mr. Nigel Wong |
MATTA President |
|
ASITA |
Dr. Nunung Rusmiati, M.Si |
Ketua Umum |
Partnerships as a Tourism Growth Strategy
Malaysia continues to build strong partnerships across borders as part of its agenda to share best practices on Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality. Besides Indonesia, similar partnerships have been made with Russia and Taiwan, while destinations such as Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines have expressed interest in the same.
About Islamic Tourism Centre Islamic
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 and hospitality (MFTH) by offering research and market intelligence, training, industry development consultation, services standards and recognition, and information exchange.
For further details, kindly email comms@itc.gov.my or the following individuals:
Anis Ramli, Corporate Communications Unit, ITC at 012 321 913
Siti Rahmah Lehan, Corporate Communications Unit, ITC at 012 9070 993
Nurin Sufia Muazamir, Corporate Communications Unit, ITC at 019 8013 400
Siti Nuraliya Syazwanie, Corporate Communications Unit, ITC at 014 236 0038
