Impact of the Halal Tourism Industry in Malaysia during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Muhamad Zuhaili Bin Saiman

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the impact of the halal tourism industry in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, the research methodology used is a qualitative design through library research by obtaining data from previous studies, journals, articles, and newspapers, as secondary sources which are analyzed through content analysis. The findings of this study show that the halal tourism industry is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic when the MCO is implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19, including those involving tourism for Hajj and Umrah. During the pandemic period, innovative strategies are a must for adapting to the challenges and obstacles arising, which are critical and should be overcome as soon as possible. We can look for example from other countries’ strategies to attract the tourists by converting normal tour into virtual tour methods, for example, used in some tourist attractions, such as animal sanctuaries and zoos. Despite the aims to improve the tourism industry, it also helps maintain the need for the ecosystem in the sectors. The development of pandemic contingency or natural disaster planning assists the industry in preparing for the worst-case scenario and sustaining and surviving during a difficult period. The practical implications are that the findings will help planners, policymakers, and industry in the halal tourism sector to develop an initial preparation package to face the uncertainty of global and local disasters and calamities by using modern technology to ensure that the halal tourism sector has an alternative if tourism cannot be done physically. The originality of this study offers a clear of empirical evidence from an analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the halal tourism sector in Malaysia with detailed data from current studies and industry parties involved. The study will provide an influential contribution to the players in the halal tourism industry to improve the package of more flexible equipment to face critical times.

 

Keywords: COVID-19, tourism industry, shariah-compliant hotel.

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.60.76


Full Text:

PDF


References


ADAM, A. (2021). Report: At least 120 hotels in Malaysia have shut due to COVID-19 impact, says association. Malay Mail. Retrieved from https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/06/25/report-at-least-120-hotels-in-malaysia-have-shut-due-to-covid-19-impact-say/1984832

ANWAR, I.F., YUSOFF, Y., ABDULLAH, M., NORDIN, S.N., & SALIKIN, N. (2021). A Review of Halal Tourism Marketing Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Proceedings of the 3rd International Halal Management Conference, pp. 127-130. Retrieved from https://oarep.usim.edu.my/jspui/bitstream/123456789/15582/1/A%20Review%20of%20Halal%20Tourism%20Marketing%20Strategies%20During%20the%20COVID-19%20Pandemic.pdf

AWAN, M.I., SHAMIM, A., & AHN, J. (2020). Implementing ‘cleanliness is half of faith’ in re- designing tourists, experiences and salvaging the hotel industry in Malaysia during COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 12(3), 543–557. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-08-2020-0229

AZAM, M.S.E., ABDULLAH, M.A., & RAZAK, D.A. (2019). Halal Tourism: Definition, Justification, and Scopes towards Sustainable Development. International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, 18(3), 23–31. Retrieved from http://ijbel.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/KLIBEL-18_64.pdf

AZIZ, A.H.B.A. (2018). Muslim Friendly Tourism: Concept, Practices and Challenges in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(11), 355-363. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v8-i11/4908

BAE, S.Y., & CHANG, P.J. (2020). The effect of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) risk perception on behavioural intention towards ‘untact’ tourism in South Korea during the first wave of the pandemic (March 2020). Current Issues in Tourism, 24(7), 1017-1035. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2020.1798895

DEB, S.K., & NAFI, S.M. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tourism: Perceptions from Bangladesh. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3632798

DINARSTANDARD. (2020). 2020/21 State of the Global Islamic Economy Report - Thriving in Uncertainty. Retrieved from https://islamicmarkets.com/publications/state-of-the-global-islamic-economy-report-2020-21

FABEIL, N.F., PAZIM, K.H., & LANGGAT, J. (2020). The impact of Covid-19 pandemic crisis on micro-enterprises: Entrepreneurs’ perspective on business continuity and recovery strategy. Journal of Economics and Business, 3(2), 837-844. https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1992.03.02.241

FOO, L.P., CHIN, M.Y., TAN, K.L., & PHUAH, K.T. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on tourism industry in Malaysia. Current Issues in Tourism, 24(19), 2735-2739. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2020.1777951

HAMID, M.A., & ISA, S.M. (2020). Exploring the sustainable tourism practices among tour operators in Malaysia. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, 15(1), 68-80. Retrieved from https://jssm.umt.edu.my/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2020/05/6.15.1pdf.pdf

HAMID, R., HASHIM, N.H.M., SHUKUR, S.A.M., & MARMAYA, N.H. (2021). The Impact of Covid-19 on Malaysia Tourism Industry Supply Chain. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(16), 27–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v11-i16/11213

HAN, H., AL-ANSI, A., CHUA, B.L., TARIQ, B., RADIC, A., & PARK, S.H. (2020). The post-coronavirus world in the international tourism industry: application of the theory of planned behavior to safer destination choices in the case of US outbound tourism. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18), 6485. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186485

JAIYEOBA, H.B. (2021). The Spillover Effects of Covid-19 on Halal Industry: An Overview and Way Forward. Halalsphere, 1(1), 72–82. https://doi.org/10.31436/hs.v1i1.16

KARIM, W., HAQUE, A., ANIS, Z., & ULFY, M.A. (2020). The movement control order (MCO) for Covid-19 crisis and its impact on tourism and hospitality sector in Malaysia. International Tourism and Hospitality Journal, 3(2), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.37227/ithj-2020-02-09

KHAN, M.J., CHELLIAH, S., & AHMED, S. (2019). Intention to visit India among potential travellers: role of travel motivation, perceived travel risks, and travel constraints. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 19(3), 351-367. https://doi.org/10.1177/1467358417751025

LAI, H.B.J., ZAINAL ABIDIN, M.R., HASNI, M.Z., AB KARIM, M.S., & CHE ISHAK, F.A. (2020). Key adaptations of SME restaurants in Malaysia amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 9(6), 12–23. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v9i6.916

MALEK, N.H.A. (2020). Cancellation of hotel bookings hits RM68m. The Malaysian Reserve. Retrieved from https://themalaysianreserve.com/2020/03/18/cancellation-of-hotel-bookings-hits-rm68m/

MASTERCARD & CRESCENTRATING. (2018). Global Muslim Travel Index 2018. Retrieved from https://www.halalmedia.jp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GMITI-Report-2018.pdf

PARAHIYANTI, C.R., PRAKTIKTO, H., RAKHMAD, A.A.N., BASID, A., & YAAKOP, A.Y. (2022). Majority Does Not Guarantee the Muslim Visitors: Analysis of Halal Tourism Digital Information in Southeast Asian Muslim Majority Countries. Hong Kong Journal of Social Sciences, 60, 433-443. Retrieved from http://hkjoss.com/index.php/journal/article/view/632

SINHA, S., & NAIR, B.B. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 on destination choice: an empirical study on sociodemographic determinants of future travel behaviour. Anatolia, 32(1), 128-131. https://doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2020.1839523

WONG, M.S.M.A., DAUD, M.Z., & HARUN, N.H. (2021). Islamic Tourism in Malaysia during Covid-19: The Impact and Recovery Plan. Proceedings of the 3rd International Halal Management Conference, pp. 150–157. Retrieved from https://oarep.usim.edu.my/jspui/bitstream/123456789/15586/1/Islamic%20Tourism%20in%20Malaysia%20During%20Covid-19%20The%20Impact%20and%20Recovery%20Plan.pdf

TOUBES, D.R., ARAÚJO VILA, N., & FRAIZ BREA, J.A. (2021). Changes in consumption patterns and tourist promotion after the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 16(5), 1332-1352. https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer16050075

WORLD TRAVEL MARKET & EUROMONITOR. (2007). WTM global trends report 2007. Retrieved from https://www.saphirnews.com/attachment/68715/

YEH, S.-S. (2021). Tourism Recovery Strategy against COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism Recreation Research, 26(2), 188-194. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2020.1805933

YUSOF, A. (2020). Malaysia Airlines Bhd considers more flight cuts. New Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www.nst.com.my/business/2020/03/578811/malaysia-airlines-bhd-considers-moreflight-cuts

ZUBAIR, F., & SHAMSUDIN, M.F. (2021). Impact of Covid-19 on tourism and hospitality industry of Malaysia. Journal of Postgraduate Current Business Research, 6(1), 6. Retrieved from https://abrn.asia/ojs/index.php/jpcbr/article/view/105


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.