The Aceh provincial administration has designated halal tourism as one of its priority products, according to a local official.
“Halal tourism has developed fast in the world. Hence, Aceh must take advantage of halal tourism. Hence, halal tourism should become Aceh`s priority product,” Jamaluddin, head of the Aceh tourism and culture office, stated here, Wednesday.
To this end, Aceh organized a training course for human resources supporting halal tourism. Tens of members of the Aceh Tourism Stakeholders` Association (ASPPI) participated in the course.
Halal tourism respects Islamic culture and Islamic legal values, including those concerning certified halal food.
“Even without certification, food products in Aceh are, in fact, guaranteed to be halal. However, certificates are also obtained to convince tourists,” he noted.
He called on tourism stakeholders in Aceh to obtain certificates for their products, including food, hospitality, and other services, in order to support Aceh`s halal tourism industry.
Meanwhile, the Aceh provincial government has set a target of attracting at least three million domestic tourists during 2019.
“Our target is to receive some three million domestic tourists in Aceh this year,” Jamaluddin had stated earlier.
Aceh, Indonesia`s westernmost province, is optimistic of receiving 150 thousand foreign tourists.
The number of both domestic and foreign tourist arrivals in Aceh has increased since 2014 and has brought positive impacts on the economy of the Aceh people, he added.
