Despite the increasing trend of international visitors from Muslim countries and the

growing number of Muslim-friendly or Halal hotels in Malaysia, the efforts by these

hotels to customize their products and services to these target customers remain
insufficient.

There are general non-bidding guidelines but no clear-cut standards and criteria for
the services of Halal hotels, President of Malaysian Association of Hotels Mohamed
Ilyas Bin Zainol Abidin told KUNA Saturday.

Zainol Abidin, also a board chairman of one of the Malaysian halal hotels, said there
is growing demand for Halal hotels in Malaysia but that there are no rules regulating
this booming industry.

There is need for coordinated efforts and contacts with the UN travel agency to
reconsider the hotels ratings standards to take into consideration the religious and
cultural peculiarity of Muslim societies and travelers, he told KUNA.
Zainol Abidin highlighted some of the differences between the conventional and
Halal hotels, citing as an example the Halal hotel which he works for.

The restaurant only serves Shariah-complaint halal food and there are no bars
serving alcoholic beverages, he said.
Each room has a copy of the Quran and prayer garments for men and women to
wear. In the bathrooms, a dedicated ablution tap is provided for guests to perform
the ritual cleansing that Muslims must complete before praying. One of the hotel
floors has been dedicated for performing prayers.

Religious scholars and Imams give lectures in the prayer room, and guests can
attend a free session where Islamic scholars translate the Quran from Arabic into
English or help them memorize the verses of the Quran.

Zainol Abidin added that Halal hotels also offer separate swimming pools for men
and women.

For his part, Anas Abdulaziz, head of Middle East department at a Malaysian travel
agency, has a different point of view. The demand on Halal hotels from Arab
travelers is still meager, Abdulaziz told KUNA.

The services of these hotels are not yet up to the required levels, he said, adding
that most Halal hotels are only of three-star standardization.

He, however, revealed that a number of property developers have announced plans
to construct several luxurious Halal hotels in the Malaysian capital over the coming
years. We hope such projects would give impetus to the tourism sector in
Malaysia, he said.

The Malaysian government seeks to expand the application of the concept of Halal
to include other economic and service sectors, in addition to the existing restrictions
on food and drnk, Abdulaziz underlined.

There is a desperate need for a special government body to issue certifications for
the hotels or travel agencies seeking to offer Halal services and to follow up their
abidance by the set regulations and standards. A study by the Malaysian Utara
University has detailed several challenges facing the Halal hotels sector. The paper,
themed Developing a Model for Islamic Hotels: Evaluating Opportunities and
Challenges, featured the non-existence of a business model for these hotels as the
main challenge.
In fact, there is no established business model for the Islamic hotel, either in the
form of academic writing or even in practice, reads the study.

The current practices are merely focusing on Halal food certification while the
other Islamic aspects of hotel operations still remain undiscovered, it pointed out.

The study argued that the increasing numbers of international visitors create a
bright prospect for this industry, but these opportunities come with huge
challenges.

We found the growing number of Muslim population and Muslim travelers will
continue to flourish this market segment. On the other hand, these opportunities
come with challenges. These challenges are related to the measurement of Islamic
hotels, and the acceptance and the implementation of the concept among hoteliers
and consumers. Halal tourism, as permissible under Islam, includes Halal activities,
Halal airlines, Halal food, and Halal/Shariah-compliant hotels.

We narrow down our focus to the application of the Halal concept to the hotel
industry which we identify as an Islamic hotel. Despite the potential and bright
prospect of Halal tourism to the economy and to the hotel industry, in particular,
this sector faces numerous issues and challenges, added the study.

The application of the Islamic hotels concept may require them to reengineer the
existing business process or standard operating procedures (SOP) to comply with
Islamic principles. Hence, the real understanding of the Islamic concept at the
grassroots is still required rather than adjustments to already existing concepts.
This would lead to the issue of measuring the degree of compliance of the Islamic
hotel. The challenge now is how do we measure the level of compliance of hotels to
Shariah law? The tourism industry is one of the worlds largest and fastest growing
economic sectors. For Malaysia, the tourism industry is expected to continue to be
one of the top five contributors to the national economy.

Malaysia has been branded as a tourist destination in Asia. Malaysia was one of the
three countries in Asia (after Taiwan and Hong Kong) which achieved a double-digit
growth in tourism receipts despite the adverse economic downturn of 2009, The
Utara University study pointed out that in 2010 the number of foreign visitors to
Malaysia was 24.6 million with receipts of RM 56.5 billion or (USD18.6 billion)
compared to only 5.50 million visitors and receipts of RM 8.
6 billion or (USD 2.8 billion) in 1998.

This is a 347 percent increase in visitor arrivals and 557 percent increase in receipts
within the 12-year period.
Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, was the fifth most visited city in the
world, with 8.9 million tourist arrivals in 2010. The increasing trend is contributed to
visitors from the Middle East, who chose to continue to visit Malaysia after the
historical September 11, 2001 event.
The Utra University Study claimed that the trend has been increasing from 1998 to
2009.
The significant increase in the number of visitors can be clearly seen from Iran and
Saudi Arabia. Most of these visitors choose Malaysia as their destination because of
the Islamic identity of Malaysia and Muslim friendly services offered by the country.
This is known as Halal tourism and it is one of the important aspects that
significantly affect the Malaysian economy.

When you step into the Al Jawhara Hotel

Apartments in Dubai, you get to taste the Islamic concept of

hospitality, as this is what the hotel offers its clients.

Al Jawhara Group of Hotels and Apartments senior sales manager Munir

Ahmed said the hotel, in extending its hospitality, presents to its

clients, both Muslims and non-Muslims, with an image of Islam.

When they come to our hotel they get a taste of the Islamic concept,

how the people of Islam entertain their guests, welcome them and take

care of them, he told Bernama on the sidelines of the World Halal Expo

and Forum held here recently.

Munir said the hotels concept is to provide a pure halal atmosphere,

pointing out that it is the first in Dubai to do so.

He explained that halal is not only about food as at the same time other

concepts should also be in accordance with Islam.

We dont allow alcohol, and right from the cleaning of the hotel up to

the accounting, we follow everything according to Islamic and halal

concept, he added.

Munir said when one talks about Islam and hospitality, this does not

mean only halal, it means everything in its pure and natural form,

hygienic and up to the standard.

This is the concept we have in the market, which has received good
response not only from the Gulf countries but also from Malaysia and

Brunei.

The hotels clientele come from Germany, Europe and Australia as well,

hence dismissing the perception that Islamic concept hotels are likely

to only attract Muslim guests.

We wish to boost the number of clients from Malaysia. We are already

working with Petronas where its staff who travel to Sudan stay over at

our hotel in Dubai, Munir added.

Asked of any plans to set up a hotel in Malaysia with a similar concept,

he said: It all depends. I am sure there may be some hotels in Malaysia

which are following this concept.

We are targeting countries where we can be like a pioneer.

Munir said within just two years, the group, which pioneered halal

hospitality in Dubai, has succeeded in achieving a marvelous and

wonderful result in the market.

The market is flourishing and we plan to expand the concept.

Accommodation

We will be able to change the 2 floors (50 rooms) for Halal rooms anytime as requested.

Furniture of room
Prayer rug and sign indicating the direction of Mecca

Training of hotel employees to serve Islamic guests

In addition to a group prayer room inside the Hotel, the Hotel offers full Wudu facilities, where
guests can wash their feet, etc. before praying.
Banquet hall and restaurants (Buffet, Japanese, Chinese)
We will include Halal menu in the regular menu of each restaurant.

Creating Halal menu

Establishing supply routes of Halal ingredients and seasonings

Maintaining a Halal-dedicated kitchen and cooking utensils

Training of kitchen staff and servers

SALAM FOODS PROCESSING

Certification: NAHA Halal certification
Certification: Japan Islamic Trust
Office of Sato Chohachi-Shoji Co., Ltd.
(A group of Hotel Springs Makuhari)

A Halal only factory was opened for the first time in Japan.

Food safety is our number one priority and we ensure that our producers use only the safest and
highest quality ingredients in the production process. We produce cooking products such as
packaged foods and side dishes. We offer our products to neighborhood businesses such as hotels
and restaurants andcater events as well.
We will continue to introduce new initiatives in our products and services.
Our farm to table approach is based on both FSSC22000 and HALAL to ensure the highest food
safety standards.

We oversee the entire production process from supplying raw materials to shipment to prevent any
harmful contamination in the food supply.

We will also be expanding to other markets that demand safe and healthy food products.

We have implemented a management system throughout the entire production process, which
allows us to have complete control and traceability over ingredients and food materials used at each
step.
In addition, we are in the process of obtaining the Food Safety System Certification FSSC22000 to
further demonstrate our commitment of offering safe and quality products to our customers.

Inquiries
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Since the 1980s, 'Makuhari New City' has undergone rapid development, guided by the concept of
an international city of the future that seamlessly integrates 'work, home, study and play'.
Hotel Springs Makuhari was the first hotel to open in this exciting urban area.
Ever since it opened, Hotel Springs Makuhari has given its guests something special to talk about,
including elegant European interiors and comfortable public spaces that borrow the nearby scenery
of Kaihin Park.
In its early days the Hotel adopted buffet dining, an innovation at the time.
This commitment to innovation and comfort supports the special appreciation
Hotel Springs Makuhari continues to enjoy from its many loyal guests.
Ideally located just 3 minutes from the train station, Hotel Springs Makuhari is
designed on the theme of harmony with seasonal trees and flowers.
Steeped in natural beauty, the Hotels resort mood is sure to please every guest.
The 'smiles' of the staff and our deliciously 'unconventional' cuisine are here
to offer you a warm welcome.

Fujie Sato
Chair, Yamagataya Group

Proprietor, Hotel Springs Makuhari

 Born inAzuma-mura, Isumi-gun (now City of Isumi), Chiba Prefecture in 1929, Fujie Sato attended girls high

school before being called for duty in a student mobilization. In 1949 she graduated from Otsuma Womens

College. While working at Japan Storage Battery Co.,Ltd., Sato was active in voluntary social services with

Shigeri Yamataka, Diet member and chair of the Regional Womens Group Coordinating Committee, and

Fusae Ichikawa, a Diet member. In 1966 Fujie founded Yamagataya Sato Chohachi Shoji K.K., beginning the

development of the Yamagataya Group which would later include Yamagataya Sangyo Co., Ltd., Yamagataya

Bussan Co., Ltd., Yamagataya Trading Co., Ltd. and Hotel Springs Makuhari. In 2001 Sato was appointed the

9th chair of the Ichikawa Chamber of Commerce. Today Sato is chair of the Womens Group Coordinating

Committee of the Chiba Prefectural Chamber of Commerce and chair of the Womens Committee of the

Ichikawa Chamber of Commerce. She continues to be active in voluntary social services, notably as director of

the incorporated association Ai Center. In 2008 Sato was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver

Rays.

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Hotel Springs Makuhari

1-11 Hibino, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 261-0021

Tel: +81-043-296-3111(switchboard) Fax: +81-043-296-3795

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