Abstract
Changes in the tourist profile and tourism understanding around the world affect Muslim tourists, who perform tourism actions within the framework of the orders and prohibitions of Islam. In this direction, the aim of this study in the context of halal tourism is to examine the tourist profile and to provide literature support on travel agencies and guidance services in the context of halal tourism by revealing the behavior, expectations, and tendencies of Muslim tourist profiles. The tourist profile in the context of halal tourism, which is attributed as a new tourism concept, and its contribution to the literature on travel agencies and guidance services reveals the importance of this study. From this point of view, in the context of halal tourism, tourist profile, travel agencies, and tourism guidance, services issues were tried to be given under the main headings. It is thought that this chapter will contribute to halal tourism professionals and halal tourism-related researchers.
TopIntroduction
Halal tourism is defined as the travel activities of halal-conscious tourists for any permissible or lawful (halal) purpose (El-Gohary, 2016). This form of tourism is demanded generally by people who belong to the Islamic religion and want to live their lives according to the provisions of Sharia. These people, who participate in various tourism activities, try to shape all their lifestyles, entertainment, touristic motivations, and consumption concepts according to the principles of the Islamic religion. Due to these features, the tourist profiles, product-service expectations, and holiday-travel understanding of these people can show various differences compared to other individuals. In the literature, it has not been found that any generally accepted name has been given for this type of tourist who participates in Islamic tourism activities (Vargas-Sánchez & Moral-Moral, 2019). However, it is considered that it would be appropriate for these tourists to be called by a different name such as “devout Muslim tourists” which can be used to describe the tourists in this profile due to the different tourist profiles they have, just as individuals participate in congress tourism are called “congressists” (Sormaz et al., 2017). “Devout” literally means “religious person”. In this context, it is possible to define “devout tourist” as a person who performs tourism action within the framework of the orders and prohibitions of him/her religion. From this point of view, it can be stated that the concept of a devout Muslim tourist briefly is a person who performs tourism action within the framework of the orders and prohibitions of Islam (Sandy, 2019). While purchasing the touristic products and services offered to him/her, a devout tourist also acts in accordance with his/her religious beliefs and buys some products and does not approach others (Yousaf & Xiucheng, 2018). In this respect, the concept of “halal product” is effective in product and service preferences for the devout Muslim tourist.
The concept of halal is not just a concept used to express the compliance of food and beverages with Islamic principles. In addition, the concept of halal is an important concept that has an impact on all areas of life of Muslims. Meeting the elements needed during travels in line with Islamic rules and beliefs such as “accommodation”, “food and beverage” and “transportation” as in Muslim-friendly tourism are the basis of the concept of halal tourism (Zawawi et al., 2017).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Halal Food: All food that is permissible to eat according to the teachings of some religious or ethnic identities.
Halal Holiday: This concept means multidimensional, comprising both consumption and Islamic religious values such as Iman (faith), which refers to the conscience, and suggest that Muslims should act within the Sharia (Islamic Law), and only choose what is halal and remember Allah when making decisions.
Destination: This concept can be defined as the destination country, region or place, final destination in tourism movements, as well as the place chosen and/or determined by the people as the point where they intend to go or wants to reach on their trip.
Devout Tourist: Tourists who has deep religious beliefs.
Halal Certification: A necessary condition for the production of an acceptable, reliable, and consumable product for religiously sensitive consumers.
Religious Tourism: A branch of tourism which involves people travelling for religious purposes (like a pilgrimage) or to see things of religious importance (sightseeing).
Halal-Conscious Tourist: Muslim travelers who do not wish to compromise their faith-based needs while traveling.
Muslim-Friendly Tourism: This tourism refers to the travel activities of halal-conscious tourists for any permissible (halal) purpose.