MINI SYMPOSIUM ON ISLAMIC TOURISM 2017

The first Mini Symposium on Islamic Tourism 2017 was held from 13 to 14 April 2017 at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MATIC), Kuala Lumpur. The mini symposium was organised by Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC). The focus of this symposium is on Islamic tourism and the aim is to gather Master and Ph.D students from all universities in Malaysia to present and discuss on their papers and research topics with fellow researchers, academicians and industry players. Industrial players, academicians, tour operators as well as students from all over Malaysia participated in this prestigious symposium including two members from the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Dr. Azreen Hamiza Abdul Aziz and Siti Zanariah Yusoff were the two privileged ISDEV members who participated in the mini symposium.

The mini symposium is officiated by YB Datuk Mas Ermieyati Binti Samsudin, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia.

YB Datuk Mas Ermieyati Binti Samsudin, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia in her opening speech at the Mini Symposium

Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Abdul Kadir Din presenting his keynote speech on Muslim-Friendly Tourism: Potentials, Trends and Challenges

The symposium begins with a keynote speech from Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Abdul Kadir Din from the faculty of Tourism Management, Universiti Utara Malaysia who is also the Board of Trustee of ITC. He presented his keynote on Muslim-Friendly Tourism: Potentials, Trends and Challenges. All participants were then divided into three parallel sessions in 1st day  of the symposium. Siti Zanariah Yusoff presented her paper on Positioning the Roles of Public Relations in Islamic Hospitality while Dr. Azreen Hamiza presented her paper on Muslim-Friendly Hospitality: The New Research Direction.

Dr. Azreen Hamiza (Left) and Siti Zanariah (Right) presenting their research paperwork at the Mini symposium at MATIC, Kuala Lumpur.

Apart of the main objective in sharing the new research areas in Islamic Tourism, during the 2^nd day of the symposium, a panel discussion was held to discuss on the current issues and trends in Muslim Friendly Tourism (MFT). The panel for the discussion are Mr. Zulkifly Md. Said, The Director General of ITC, Assoc. Prof Dr. Khairil Wahidin Awang from Universiti Putra Malaysia and Tn. Haji. Ismail Hisham Ahmad Zambri, The General Manager, PNB Perdana Hotel & Suites on the Park. The symposium ended with a closing ceremony and presentation of certificates to all the presenters.

The panel discussions and wrap up on the second day of the Mini Symposium

Group picture - The presenters with YB Datuk Mas Ermieyati Binti Samsudin (Centre), Mr. Zulkifly Md. Said, Tn. Haji. Ismail Hisham Ahmad Zambri, Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Abdul Kadir Din and Prof Amran Hamzah

Enjoy watching the news clip coverage for the Mini Symposium on RTM 1!