BY Rokiah Mahmud

Over 200 local and foreign participants joined a one-day International Seminar on Halal Tourism and Hospitality (ISHTaH) organised by Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) in collaboration with Prince Songkla University, Thailand; University Utara Malaysia; Malang State University, Indonesia and Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah Islamic University, Malaysia.

The seminar was held in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (Brunei MYCE) 2022 organised by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT). It carried the theme ‘Promoting Domestic Tourism Towards Enhancing Local Halal Value Chain’ and was the first hybrid seminar jointly organised by MPRT and UNISSA to provide awareness on the development of halal industry and its contribution to Brunei’s economy.

ISHTaH was also aimed to link the halal sector as well as government agencies with industry players, academia as well as other stakeholders by sharing the latest academic findings and best practices.

Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong as guest of honour gave a keynote address during the launch of the seminar at International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.

He highlighted that the seminar will empower the tourism industry with strategies to spur development and growth of gross domestic product (GDP).

Director of Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre Pengiran Dr Hajah Norkhairiah binti Pengiran Haji Hashim in her capacity as chairperson of ISHTaH 2022 said the seminar’s theme showed the efforts by UNISSA in supporting the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in promoting the tourism industry that is based on Islamic values.

She expressed hope that the seminar will serve as a platform to give exposure to factors relating to sustainable halal tourism industry. She said it promotes local Halalan Thayyiban products in domestic tourism and the value of halal logo or accreditation from Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) for local producers.

She added that the seminar aimed to contribute to the success of the halal industry in realising Brunei Vision 2035.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin