Managing Tourism and Islam in Peninsular Malaysia

✍ Scribed by Joan C. Henderson

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 166 KB
• Volume: 24
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0261-5177
• DOI: 10.1016/s0261-5177(02)00106-1

✦ Synopsis

This paper is concerned with international tourism and the Islamic religion, using the example of Malaysia as a case study to illustrate the problems and opportunities which arise when the two come into contact. Some general observations are made about the difficulties of the relationship, and conflicts between religious practices and tourist demands are identified. The authorities in Peninsular Malaysia, where Islam is central to everyday life for the dominant Malay Muslims, have responded differently to resolving this dilemma. Contrasting actions at state, national and international levels are discussed, alongside the presentation of Islam in official tourism marketing. The federal government is shown to place a high priority on meeting the needs of tourists while certain states give precedence to the dictates of religion, and international initiatives seek to promote intra-Islamic travel. Insights are thus offered into the management of tourism and Islam which may have a wider applicability beyond the particular circumstances of the case.