Developing Halal Standard for Malaysian Hotel Industry: An Exploratory Study

There has been a significant growth in the hotel industry in Malaysia. Each year, a large number of tourists especially from the Middle East countries visit Malaysia. Due to this, a lot of initiatives have been taken in its attempt to attract this group of tourists. This is done by offering hotel facilities in accordance with the religious beliefs of the Muslim tourists. Due to the above trend, it is therefore important to examine the current policies and regulatory framework relating to halal or Shariah Compliant hotel in Malaysia. Apart from that, this paper will also identify the prospect and challenges of developing halal hotels in Malaysia. The study will be conducted using qualitative research in which data is collected through library research and sessions of interviews with the relevant authorities. It is hopeful that the finding of this paper can provide information to the authority bodies and to industry players as well regarding the existing policies for Shariah compliant hotel. The results of this paper will also indicate the importance for the hoteliers to have knowledge and fully prepared with the prospects and challenges that they might be facing prior to developing Shariah Compliant Hotel in Malaysia.