WEST NUSA TENGGARA ADMINISTRATION PROMOTES WORLD ISLAMIC TRAVEL MART

Mataram, W. Nusa Tenggara, June 16 (Antara) - The Tourism Promotion Board (BPPD) of West Nusa Tenggara Province is promoting Shariah tourism through the World Islamic Travel Mart (WITM), which will be held in October 2015, BPPD Head Lalu Hasanuddin stated here, Monday. He noted that the event is one of the efforts to increase tourist visits to the province, especially those from abroad. "The WITM 2015's goal is to attract tourists," Hasanuddin said, adding that the board will also introduce Shariah tourism in the international arena. "Our target is foreign tourists, both from the Middle East and other neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam," Hasanuddin revealed. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, he added, West Nusa Tenggara is one of the 12 provinces in Indonesia that is considered ready to develop Shariah tourism. Hasanuddin remarked that West Nusa Tenggara has been known as the island of a thousand mosques. "West Nusa Tenggara is a Muslim-majority province. We guarantee all the foods served in here are halal," he emphasized. The BPPD has coordinated with President of WITM Malaysia Datoq Mohammad Khalid Harum. "Datoq Khalid has visited West Nusa Tenggara twice to help us with the preparations for the WITM 2015," Hasanuddin said. The WITM 2015 will include a Quran-memorizing program, which will be held at the Islamic boarding schools in Lombok Island and Sumbawa. "We will prepare a tour package for the Islamic boarding students in West Nusa Tenggara," he said. He is of the viewpoint that Shariah tourism can attract non-Muslim foreign tourists. "We welcome everyone to visit West Nusa Tenggara, nothing is closed," Hasanuddin added.