The 4th WITC in Malaysia gathers global experts to explore the future of Islamic tourism through discussions, innovation and networking.
Putrajaya, Malaysia – The world’s renowned thought leaders, innovators and professionals come together. Malaysia For the most anticipated 4th World Islamic Tourism Conference (4th WITC). This landmark event, scheduled to take place on the 12th and 13th of September, promises to be a pivotal moment in the global Islamic tourism industry.
Arranged Islamic Tourism Center (ITC)And held within 20 minutes of the vibrant city of Bandar Sunway Kuala LumpurThe conference will feature a dynamic program including keynote addresses by distinguished speakers and interactive panel discussions. Participants will have a unique opportunity to engage with pioneering ideas, network with peers from around the world, and explore the latest developments in Islamic tourism.
Key Features of the Conference:
Distinguished Speakers: Attendees can hear from world-renowned experts and visionaries shaping the future of Islamic tourism:
- Umar Dacosta ShahidChief Executive Officer, Faith & Culture: Session on “Bringing the Non-Mainstream into the Mainstream: Connecting Across Borders”
- Shahzad YunasCEO, Muzz App: Session on “Connecting Muslim Tourists in the Digital Space”
- Arif MiaHead of Strategy Matt Orange: “Who is the Muslim Traveller?” Session on
- Marta Fernandez MartinDirector Spanish Tourism Board: Session on „Tourism as a Driver Promoting Islamic Heritage”.
- Mirza VejjakicVice President, Malaysia-Bosnia and Herzegovina Business Council: Session on “Islamic Finance and Economic Opportunities for Muslim-Friendly Tourism”
- Datuk Chandran Rama MuthiCEO, Batik Air: “Encouraging Entrepreneurship” session
Innovative Sessions: Attendees can participate in a variety of sessions designed to inspire and inform, covering the most pressing topics and trends. This year’s WITC promises a valuable experience centered around the theme of „Making Connections,” focusing on four key areas: Understanding Muslim Tourists, Muslim-Friendly Travel and Community, Growth and Opportunity, and Inclusion.
Apart from an in-depth discussion on industrial digitization and sustainability, the 4th WITC highlighted 'The Power of Food’ to learn how food can be the focal point of a tour instead of a lonely sandwich in a hotel room.
Networking Opportunities: The 4th World Islamic Tourism Conference will target 500 attendees from the tourism, hospitality, halal, transportation and related industries and engage with industry leaders, policy makers and influencers from around the world to encourage dialogue from cross-industry experts. With a focus on fostering dialogue and collaboration, the event aims to address the challenges and opportunities facing the Islamic tourism industry today.
Nizran NurdeenDirector General of ITC says:We are delighted to host the fourth edition in Malaysia, which has once again been ranked as a Top Muslim-Friendly Destination (OIC), maintaining its position since 2015, in the MasterCard-crescentrating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) report. .”
He adds: „This accolade elevates Malaysia as a destination for Muslim travelers. Therefore, the 4th WITC will act as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration, advancing our Islamic tourism agenda.
Philippine Department of Tourism Undersecretary, Myra Paz Valderosa-AbubakarHe expressed his excitement about being a WITC panel speaker on “Standards: Key to Winning Muslim Tourists”. He recognizes the importance of adopting and promoting Muslim-friendly tourism standards to attract quality visitors from the strategic markets of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.
„The Philippines is surrounded by Muslim-majority and Muslim-populated countries in Southeast Asia, and it is time to give our Muslim brothers and sisters the best brand of service they deserve. It’s a huge market and we’re missing out on tourism revenue – the halal industry is, after all, a trillion-dollar market. she said.
As for the co-founder of Faith and Culture, Umar Dacosta ShahidHe views the 4th WITC as a prime stage to venture into the critical and blue ocean aspects of Islamic tourism. DaCosta-Shahid will speak on marketing strategies aimed at Muslim consumers in non-Muslim countries.
„I want to explore the concept of 'beyond the Muslim consumer’. Consumerism is generally a negative term that sees Muslims in a purely material dimension rather than in an ethical-spiritual dimension. He said.
„If brands can see Muslims beyond dollars and beyond consumption, they can build much stronger, authentic relationships with them, which, in the long run, will result in greater profits for them.” said Forbes’ 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30.
After all, the Muslim tourism market is the primary audience Islamic tourism And Muslim Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH)It is expected to reach a substantial USD 225 billion by 2028, indicating a promising outlook for the sector.
George is the News Feed Manager, Content Creator and Social Media Manager at the TravelDailyNews network of online newspapers. At the same time, he is completing his studies in the Department of Business Administration at the Athens University of Economics and Business.