Halal food seminar held in Phuket

In an attempt to promote understanding and new attitudes towards Halal certified goods, food or non–food products, the Halal Science Centre from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, held a seminar workshop for local businesses in Phuket. This is to assist and enhance capacity of the local tourism businesses to attract more Muslim travelers to the island.

Halal refers to foods or goods that were produced and prepared under strict adherence to established practices that are considered Islamic and permissible among Muslims, as directed by the Qur’an or the Holy Book of the Muslims. The Director of the Halal Science Centre, Chulalongkorn University, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Winai Dahlan explained the correct concept of Halal which he sees as an opportunity for Thailand, especially for the tourist destinations: He however admitted that there are only a small number of Halal operators in Thailand compared to 1,800 million Muslim people in the world and Thailand has only 0.64% of market share.

He believes that with high standards and practice, they can attract more Muslim markets to the country and the region: Assoc.Prof. Dr. Winai Dahlan pointed out that Muslim travelers are good quality tourists as they usually travel in families with usually high purchasing powers: At present many of the Muslim tourists opt for Indonesia and Malaysia he said. Thailand has high potential, but manufacturers or producers still lack knowledge and understanding. Most still think that food with Halal certified marks are only meant for Muslim consumers which is incorrect. They just mean food that Muslims can take.

On the local side the vice president of the provincial Administration Organization, Soratham Jinda agreed saying that Phuket has high potential, and calls for public, private, and religious organizations to work together in promoting Halal practices among producers and restaurants or manufacturers. He said from now on it needs to make better understanding on the benefits of having Halal certified products. After promoting or encouraging more local businesses to practice this, then the island can do more marketing to attract the Muslim markets.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT’s figures, over 2 million Muslims had vacations in Thailand per year. About 97,000 Middle Eastern travelers came to Phuket in 2007, up 29% on the previous year, while about 102,000 Malaysians, Indonesians, and Brunei travelers of mixed religions came to Phuket last year, including some who visited the annual ‘Halal Food Hilal Town’ Festival which the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization has jointly organized with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, since 2005usually in the middle of the popular green season for Middle Eastern visitors.