'Halal tourism' explained in six questions

The first-ever Halal Tourism Conference (HTC) is set to take place on September 22 and 23 in Granada, Spain. At the event, hospitality and travel professionals will examine how to better attract Muslim tourists, especially those of the high-income variety.

Here is the lowdown on Halal tourism:

1. What is Halal tourism? 
The phrase was coined to refer to the specific traveling habits and expectations of Muslim tourists.
Essentially this clients are looking for service in accordance with their religion principles, such as restaurants serving Halal meats & hotels with dedicated prayer areas.

2. Who are Halal tourists?
Potentially, anyone of Muslim faith. In terms of nationality, demand for this type tourism comes primarily from Indonesia (home to the World's largest Muslim population), Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. North African travelers also represent a considerable clientele.
Also read: Halal tourism guide for Muslim Travelers

3. What expectations are specific to them?
Notwithstanding the diversity of global Muslim population, there are certain amenities and services that Muslim tourists everywhere are likely to expect. Generally, Halal tourists may seek out restaurants that serve Halal meat and do not serve alcohol. They might also expect to find dedicated prayer rooms at their hotels, or at least be provided with a prayer mat for use in their room. More conservative Muslims might also look for separate swimming pools or beaches for men & women. Finally, they may also tend to be interested in activities and excursions on the theme of Islamic religion and culture.

4. What are the top destinations?
According to the HTC's Muslim Travel Index in Europe, Muslim travelers most often listed France (30%) as their destination of choice on the continent. England and Italy tied close behind in second (28%), followed by Germany and Turkey in third (26%). Naturally, however, there is a higher availability of services catering to Halal travelers in countries where the religion is prevalent, such as Turkey, Dubai & Qatar.

5. Are there tour operators specializing in Halal tourism?
Travel agencies catering to Muslims clients have proliferated on the web in recent years. There's Halal booking, Muslim Tripper, Halal Trip and Sun Sea & Halal, just to name a few. All of these companies have one thing in common: They sell vacations guaranteed to be in sync with Islamic principles.

6. How big is the industry? 
Last year, the global Halal tourism market was worth an estimated $140 billion, again according to HTC organizers. This represents around 13% of total tourist spending worldwide. By 2020, revenues from the sector are expected to reach $192 billion.

Source: hindustantimes.com 

See Indonesia in One Afternoon!

There are so many ways to learn & know more about Indonesia. Our country (Indonesia) are well-known with its diversity whether from the cultural, religion or even its ethnic. We're certainly should be proud we're a part of this country.

If you're traveling to Jakarta, you can visit the famous TMII (Indonesia's Miniatur park), This park is one of the ambit of the Indonesia's cultures which are include all aspects of the society from around 33 provinces. It's all showed in local traditional shapes (it's called "Anjungan").

As I'm living & work in Bali, I advise you NO need to go that far to the capital's Jakarta to knows our beloved country. There's now a miniatur park such TMII in bali which is called "TAMAN NUSA".

Taman Nusa is also a cultural park that aims to offer a comprehensive information on the cultures of Indonesia’s various ethnic groups in an attractive and interactive way, while enjoying the natural beauty of Bali.
Its mission is to provide a conservation, didactic and recreative means for both domestic and foreign visitors to accurately understand the depiction of Indonesia.

I visited this place yesterday (Sep 14), I know this from my colleague who already visited there. I was so curious of this place since my friend said that It's worthwhile to visit.

I went to the place in the afternoon at 1pm from my boarding house in Jimbaran.
To be honest, I didn't know where the park is located unless around Gianyar area. Luckily, We had a very useful GPS & Google navigation to reach there. This will takes only 1hour from Jimbaran/Nusa dua area. En route to the place, you will be welcomed by a very fresh air, beautiful rice terrace & stunning panorama with the mountain as its background. Perfect!

Actually it is not difficult to be there, We just go straight follow the main road of I Bagus Mantra Bypass. Until then we found the sign board of Taman Nusa, lead you to turn left then also just follow the street & ended after 20-30mins later.

This Taman Nusa Park is situated on 15 hectares of land. All visitors are invited to explore and experience Indonesia’s journey throughout the ages beginning from the prehistory, bronze age, kingdoms, and an archipelago of Indonesian cultures.

The journey continues to the early national era, independence, modern times and finally to the nation’s future.

You will take at least 2hours exploring all the sites around the park. And you will never regret right after that!

I myself started the tour inside the park from 3pm, and finished at 5pm.
You also no need to worry if you're thirsty or need some drinks/meals during the journey, since you'll find some canteens which are available at several part of the park.

What's interesting i found here was we can interact directly with the local, I mean in every Traditional house there would be one person originally from its region. Let's say if you visit the Traditional house from West Java (Jawa Barat), There's one person in charge (the local) who can explain the details of the house, the art, the history & more. You will be invited to enter their house, Take some pictures or just sitting down to enjoy the atmosphere right inside the house. That's should be delightful experience, right?

The place also called as "Cultural village". With more than 60 traditional houses, some of which are hundreds of years old. Visitors are given the opportunity to experience the modest village life of the diverse and distinct ethnicity from all over Indonesia and see various crafts and performing arts. Like what we have done below:

And... Don't forget the Indonesia's masterpiece as I found it also in here:
Candi Borobudur (Borobudur temple), That should be located in Yogyakarta, but we can see the replica of its masterpiece in this Taman Nusa. Very historical site and known as one of the World heritages. Absolutely Stunning!

I had anyway a very nice conversation with this local girl from The ethnic group of Minahasa (If not mistaken). The girl was very helpful, honest, and very kind telling about her tribe's history, cultures, and its faiths.

Well at the end of the journey, We were treated with scenic cliff view, overlooking verdant rice terraces and lush jungle, with the waters of Melangit River rush below. Very wonderful panorama.

 

  

I think that's enough telling you about my trip experience visiting Taman Nusa. 

If you're interested to go there, You can check more information about the place on their official website: Taman-nusa.com . Or you can also contact / send me an email for any required assistances & special admission price probably? :). Thanks anyway & Have a wonderful day!

Photo by: henz & adrian

Day Trip - Nusa Penida (Throwback June 8th)

June 8, We received an invitation from Indonesia Travel Agent Association to attend "Nusa Penida Festival". The festival themed "The Rise of a New Paradise"and held within 8-11 of June, 2014.

It was the first ever festival at this island and planned to continue yearly. The activities which available during its 3-days events were such: Cultural Carnival, Tourist object inspection, Culinary competition, Painting competition, Local product & Photography exhibition, Mangrove planting, Tourism seminar & more. 

My colleague asked me to join this "Day Trip" & I said "Yes". We were four persons, Drove to Sanur beach in early morning. Waiting for the fast boat to reach that island.

The journey takes around 1,5 hours using the fast boat. Upon arrival, We were greeted by the locals and got some refreshment. The trip started 30mins later. We took our local transport (An old small car occupied until 6-7 persons). We went to the most famous beach at this island called "Crystal Bay", The trip felt quite fun but also tortured for me, I don't know whether it's because of the Old car we were OR due to some of the roads still looks rather terrible all the way.

Well after about 30mins, We arrived at the place. The beach was so beautiful, White sand, Beautiful corals & the lime-stone at some sides looked very stunning. No time to talks after getting-off the car, We ran on to the beach, Taking some pictures & make some poses as we always do.

This was a tropical island similar with its neighbour Nusa Lembongan. But the Lembongan island is more well-known than Nusa penida for most of tourists so far. This Nusa penida also very hot, humid & some of the area are desolated.

Actually, This island has several tourism sites to visit such as: Crystal Bay (we visited), Goa Giri Putri (Karangsari cave), Ped penataran temple (An extremely important temple to the Hindu Balinese many of whom make an annual pilgrimage to Nusa Penida specifically to pray here to protect against illness, disease and death), Mundi hill (The highest point of Nusa penida), Sebulluh waterfall and South coast cliffs. But anyway, We only visited one place "Crystal Bay" as we only had a very limited time on that Day Trip. 

In the afternoon, We were transferred to the centre of the event, A hall and a park to watch some exhibitions there. And then, All of us returned to Sanur beach at about 3pm remain using The speed boat. It's all ended when we touched down the white & beautiful Sanur beach. 

I think, It's one of our great experience even's only in a "Day Trip". Absolutely a moment to remember at all time :). 

By the way, Herewith i posted some pictures we had during that trip, Check this out below: 

 

On the pictures: henz, adrian, lilla
Photo by: henz & adrian

The panoramic "Pandawa Beach"

Pandawa Beach

What do you think about the above picture? For me, It's totally awesome! I took this when i visited a beach in Bali last March if not mistaken.

This is "PANDAWA BEACH", You can see the hill, the lime-stone cliff surrounding & the view to the ocean, It's all Remarkable!

The Bali's tourism department knows this place has huge potential for tourists, So they' already re-set & emended all the infrastructure needed especially the road to reach this beach, It's all new now & easy access to be here.

What i amazed a lot from this beach are the statues decorating alongside the wall nearer to the beach, the white sands & the blue emerald water, It's absolutely catch my heart.

This beach is also known as "Kutuh Beach" as it's located at The Kutuh village, Southern part of Bali. It's quite easy to get there now, You can contact me if need some helps or driving you there :).

Well, Just right along the way to the beach, You'll also find 5 huge white statues of Pandawa Brothers, the protagonist of Mahabharata story. They are Yudhistira (the eldest), Bima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sadewa. This is another reason why i like this place so much, We can take some pictures at this statues, the lime-stones cliff & of course the background Pandawa beach. I did it with my friends last time. Here they are, Take a look please! :)

 

The above pictures we took during a visit to Pandawa Beach. Is that enough to attract you to go there? Hopefully :)

I know that Bali has so many beaches. But this one is highly recommended to visit. The white sands, blue emerald water, the lime-stone cliff, the statues, and Its green and deep blue aquatic sight, That's all AMAZING! Be there soon...

On the pictures: henz, adrian & vicky
Photo by: henz & adrian

That afternoon at Geger Beach

Ah, It's totally insane IF living in Bali but never visit or knows the beach. Bali's well-known as the tourist beach destination and one of the best in Asia even in the world. So, This island must have kinds of beach to offer, From the famous Kuta beach until the northern Lovina beach which is also known with its Dolphin.

I visited a  beach in Nusa Dua last sunday (August 31). Most people called its a "Grill Beach", Located along the fairly famous Geger beach. I impressed as there were only some tourists coming here, Still desolated but I really like a place like this, No crowd surrounding. Best time to relax and enjoy the ambiances, definitely!

I never forget carrying my camera at every place i visit, And we took some pictures during "That afternoon at Geger/Grill Beach". Check this out below:

Two Balinese girls are having their own rituals such a "self purification".

Beautiful path in the middle of the two small cliff at both side

Be careful to get down the 'rock ladders' to the beach, it's rather keen & steep for me :)

 

The last picture shows that i'm the one who looked so indecisive & terrified when defying the waves :(. "Enjoy the beach and never think of the tsunami", I told to my self! Lol.

On the pictures: henz & vicky
Photo by: henz & adrian