The government through the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) has started promoting halal tourism. In this regard, virtual tourism is needed to boost the market tour Indonesian halal. Thus quoted from Compass Travel (25 / 9 / 2022).
Virtual Tourism Destinations
According to the General Chairperson of the Muslimah Merchant Association (PERSAMI), Siti Nur Azizah virtual tourism is important to target the halal tourism market so that travelers from halal tourism get clear information about comfort while cruising. "Tourists in the context of halal tourism need contributions from virtual tourism, in order to ensure comfort when they enjoy tourism in Indonesia," said Siti Nur at the Road to World Tourism Day event: Rethinking Tourism, online, last Friday (23/9/2022).
Furthermore, he explained that virtual tourism has the opportunity to provide access to the public to see the condition of a tourist destination first without the need to go directly to the location. These conditions include facilities or attractions as well as other interesting things that exist in a tourist place.
There is still a misunderstanding about halal tourism
Siti explained that so far there is still a misunderstanding about halal tourism as 'justifying' a tourist place or making a tourist place religious. In fact, halal tourism actually refers to the concept of services that prioritize the halal side, starting from the provision of food, hotels that are also certified or have halal standards and also maintained cleanliness. "This is related to needs that can support tourists when doing tours, such as places of worship, lightning directions, to the provision of halal food and drinks," he said further. This variety of information is an aspect that deserves to be displayed in virtual tourism. Thus, potential visitors have actually received information regarding the destinations to be visited.
The reason for boosting halal tourism
Meanwhile, the government's efforts to boost halal tourism are not without reason. This is because this tourism segment has a potential market. At least the calculations of this matter can be seen from the Global Islamic Economu Report in 2019. "Based on the 2019 Global Islamic Economy Report, the expenditure of Muslim tourists for halal food and beverages, shopping for halal cosmetics as well as Muslim-friendly tourism and halal lifestyles, reached 2,02 trillion US dollars, this is a market opportunity," he explained.
Reflecting on the report, things that need to be prepared and improved include those related to the presentation of halal food to the availability of hotels with Muslim-friendly facilities. In line with this, innovation and adaptation are needed through the implementation of CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment Sustainability) with the halal concept for halal tourism travelers.
Siti also highlighted that collaboration is needed to develop the halal tourism market in the country. "We need collaboration to prepare various tools needed to develop Indonesia's halal tourism potential, ranging from regulations, human resources, attractions to supporting facilities," he said. (y)