IPOH, PERAK, 07 DISEMBER 2023: Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) officially partnered with Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh (MBI) in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the Ipoh’s tourism industry for the Visit Perak Year 2024 and Visit Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Year (Visit IMT-GT Year) 2023-2025 programmes.
The collaboration will see both parties strengthen Ipoh’s positioning as a Muslim-friendly destination and attract Muslim tourists from the region to visit.
ITC’s Director-General, En. Nizran Noordin said: “Perak, and particularly the city of Ipoh, has diverse natural, gastronomic, and culture and heritage tourist attractions that would appeal to all tourists. It has great potential to cater to the Muslim tourist market with many fascinating attractions such as Tasik Cermin, Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge TT5, and Kellie’s Castle. ITC is ready to assist the industry players to prepare for the Muslim tourist market by sharing our research findings, training programmes, and our recognition programmes.”
An agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) responsible for overseeing the country’s Islamic Tourism expansion, ITC regularly organises training programmes and market research on Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality. Among its signature programmes are the Muslim-Friendly Tourist Guide (MFTG) training and the Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition (MFAR) programme, which ensure that tourism and hospitality businesses have the facilities and services in place to cater to the Muslim tourist market.
Encik Nizran and Dato’ Rumaizi bin Baharin @ Md Daud, Ipoh Mayor, both signed the MOU, at the Dinner Ceremony and Signing of MoU on Muslim Friendly Tourism, organised by MBI at the M Roof Hotel, Ipoh, Perak. YB Sandrea Ng Shy Ching, EXCO of Perak Housing and Local Government representing the Menteri Besar, YAB Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad, was there to witness the signing.
ABOUT IPOH
Ipoh is the capital of Perak and Malaysia’s third-largest city. It is a popular destination for adventure, art, heritage, and architecture enthusiasts. Ipoh offers a unique mix of old-school charm and modern amenities, divided into Old Town (west side) and New Town (east side) by the Kinta River. Not only that, Ipoh\’s position surrounded by limestone hills and caves makes it a very unique location.
Perak is not only rich in its gastronomic options but also multi-ethnic and multi-cultural heritage, history, culture, geology and natural attractions such as Tasik Cermin Ipoh and Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat.
Ipoh was recently named by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the City of Music by Creative Cities Network (UCCN) and is listed with 15 other cities around the world including two from Southeast Asia namely Da Lat (Vietnam) and Suphanburi (Thailand). Ipoh is the 2nd city in Malaysia and the first in Peninsular Malaysia to receive this recognition.
Visit Perak Year 2024 (VPY2024) is happening next year and the Perak state government aims for Perak to receive eight million domestic tourist arrivals and 350,000 international tourist arrivals. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Perak was in fourth position among the states in Malaysia that registered the highest number of domestic tourist arrivals, which totalled 14.6 million.
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About Islamic Tourism Centre
Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) is an entity under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia, tasked to develop the Islamic Tourism segment for Malaysia. It advocates for Muslim-friendly tourism (MFT) by offering research and market intelligence, training, industry development consultation, Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH) services standards and recognition, and information exchange.
Malaysia was named the top country in the region in the MFTH sector by the State of the Global Islamic Economy (SGIE) Report 2022. The country also retained the top-ranked destination in the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2023, a position it has defended since the launch of the Index in 2015. In the same year, Malaysia was recognised as the Top Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year (OIC) and the Top Muslim Women-Friendly Destination of the Year in Halal in Travel Awards 2023.
In addition, ITC was named the recipient of the Strategic Business Alliance Award at The BrandLaureate World Halal Best Brand E-Branding Awards 2021. It is a recognition of ITC’s efforts and endeavours in formulating new strategies to meet the new normal of the business environment to ensure business continuity and sustainability, notwithstanding its role in developing and growing the Islamic tourism segment in Malaysia.
These recognitions are an added motivation for ITC to continue to strengthen its efforts in being a prime mover and leading institution to ensure Malaysia is at the forefront of MFTH.
For further details, kindly contact:
Islamic Tourism Centre,
Level 13, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia
No. 2 Tower 1, Jalan P5/6,
Precinct 5, 62200 Putrajaya, Malaysia
Tel: 03-8891 7177 or via email itc@itc.gov.my
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