Tohoku District to Establish Muslim Friendly Tourist Attractions
3 December 2017 10:30 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Six prefectures in Tohoku District are preparing themselves to welcome Muslims who plan to visit Japan. Musalla [prayer rooms] and halal food will be available in the district aside from designated markets for Muslims consumers.
The Reconstruction Agency, including Sunny Side Up Inc. is developing a Muslim-friendly tourism campaign in Tohoku. The “New Tohoku” project is part of Japanese hospitality ‘Omotenashi’ campaign. Sunny Side is already operating a public relations office for Muslims tourists in Tohoku, Japan.
The campaign is aimed at identifying essential infrastructure for Muslims visiting six prefectures in Tohoku district. Special travel products are being developed to serve countries with stable economic growth, such as Indonesia and Malaysia.
The Tohoku project is being developed as the number of Muslims visiting Japan continues to grow. The number of Indonesians and Malaysians visiting the country had increased threefold in four years since 2012. Japan tourism can no longer ignore Muslims who represent a quarter of the world's current population. Two inns in six prefectures in Tohoku are offering halal foods since March 2017.
Tourism model featuring Tohoku history and unique natural landscapes are established to compete with the well-known “Golden Route” (for example Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Kyoto) and information on Muslim-friendly tourist attractions are being promoted on the internet. They will offer ‘pork free’ and ‘alcohol free’ menus and prayers rooms and corners for ritual washing (Wudhu).
ANTARA