Malaysia's Southern State Of Johor Keen To Attract Muslim Tourists From Xinjiang, Gansu

JOHOR BAHRU (Johor, Malaysia), Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Johor Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee Chairman Tee Siew Kiong will head the state's trade mission to China's autonomous provinces of Xinjiang and Gansu from Aug 17 to 23. Tee said 13 people from various government agencies, including Tourism Johor, the Johor State Investment Centre and Johor Islamic Corporation, would be joining the mission which would focus on Islamic tourism and halal food. "Islamic tourism has huge potential for growth in Malaysia, especially Johor, as it is a favourite Islamic tourism destination due to its well-developed facilities like mosques and surau (prayer houses), halal food restaurants and shariah-compliant hotels,” he told reporters here Friday. The Xinjiang province, also known as East Turkestan, in northwestern China is home to more than 10 million Uyghur Muslims, while the Gansu Province in northwestern China also has a large Muslim population. Tee said the diversity of Johor’s tourism products and attractions had enticed Chinese Muslims to visit the state. Besides boasting expertise in halal certification, human capital management and Islamic finance, he said the state is developing the Johor Halal Park. He said Johor could also conduct umrah and haj courses for Muslims from abroad, while its logistics and port facilities would be a boon to investors, including those involved in the halal industry. Johor needs to explore the potential of tourist and investor traffic from Xinjiang and Gansu, which have a population of 20 million, besides enhancing bilateral ties, he added. -- BERNAMA