JAPAN National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has published its Japan Travel Guide for Muslim Visitors as part of the country’s efforts to attract more Muslim visitors from South-east Asia (TTG Asia e-Daily, October 8, 2012).
Highlighting Muslim-friendly restaurants, mosques, attractions and Muslim organisations in Japan, the guide will be distributed through travel consultants and available for online downloads.
Unsurprisingly, Malaysia’s travel trade has welcomed the publication.
Malaysian Harmony Tours & Travel CEO, Cooper Huang, said the guidebook would increase awareness among Muslims of Japan’s Muslim-friendly facilities and increase their comfort in planning a vacation to Japan.
The publication was also timely since the yen had depreciated, making holidaying in Japan cheaper, he observed.
Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of Crescentrating, a Singapore-based travel website catering to halal-conscious Muslim travellers worldwide, said: “Muslim travellers are increasingly looking to explore new destinations and Japan is definitely one of them.
“Up until now it was not clear what services Japan has when it comes to serving the basic needs of these travellers, such as halal food and prayer facilities. This visitor guide is an important step to give the comfort level needed for Muslim holidaymakers to plan their trips to Japan.”
Earlier this year, JNTO and the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents signed an MoU to promote cooperation and exchange of tourism ideas between the two countries (TTG Asia e-Daily, January 29, 2013)
