Vice President Ma'ruf Amin Said, Halal Tourism Does Not Mean That The Tour Is Legalized

JAKARTA - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin views that there are a number of parties who have misinterpreted the concept of halal tourism. There is a misperception that halal tourism means that tourism is legalized

As a result, several regions object to applying this halal tourism concept. So that this hinders the development of the Islamic economy in Indonesia. In fact, the concept is not like that.

"There seems to be an impression that sharia tourism will be legalized. Then, there are areas that have objections," said Ma'ruf, quoted on the Cabinet Secretariat website, Friday, May 7.

In fact, according to Ma'ruf, what is meant by the concept of halal tourism is the provision of sharia services in every tourist destination. Thus, this will provide comfort to tourists, especially Muslim tourists.

"There we want later in the tourist spots to have sharia services, halal services, halal restaurants, and prayer places," he said.

Ma'ruf gave an example of the application of the concept of halal tourism in Beijing, China. “I've been to Beijing. In Beijing there is a halal restaurant, there is a prayer space. The service is from Beijing (City Government), so I see many (tourists) from Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, and from several other countries that flood there and they are comfortable, "he said.

Ma'ruf views, the low level of public literacy in understanding the sharia economy is a challenge in its efforts to develop halal tourism. For this reason, the government continues to strive to increase public literacy regarding the sharia economy, including the importance of developing halal tourism.

"Sharia economy is something good, which is just, which brings goodness from various sectors. Of course we want to get rid of wrong perceptions about halal tourism or sharia tourism, "he continued.

Furthermore, Ma'ruf said that in West Nusa Tenggara, there is currently tourism education for santri through work training centers (BLK) in Islamic boarding schools, one of which aims to produce halal tour guides.

In addition to providing workers who understand sharia, according to the Vice President, various sharia service facilities that support halal tourism will also continue to be developed.

"In fact, we want to develop in addition to halal travel, all facilities, including halal spas. That is what we will do and have started in several areas, "he added.