NO ISSUE TO BE MUSLIM-FRIENDLY, SAYS FIVE-STAR PULLMAN KUCHING

Luxury property, Pullman Kuching, fronting the Kuching waterfront in Sarawak, Malaysia, had an easy experience in being certified as a Muslim-friendly hotel.

The five-star hotel applied for — and received — the Muslim-friendly Accommodation Recognition (MFAR) certification in 2020 from Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), without any issue, thanks to its existing services and facilities already fulfilling the basic MFAR criteria in the Silver category.

Ishak Ibrahim, Cluster General Manager for Pullman Kuching and Pullman Miri Waterfront, says: “It was a smooth experience for us and we didn’t face any issues in our application as the hotel already implements most of the criteria for Muslim-friendly recognition since we opened in 2010.”

He noted that such a recognition helped strengthen the branding and marketing efforts carried out by the hotel. “Though we already had all the basic services and facilities in place to meet the needs of our Muslim guests, we pursued the certification anyway so that we could use it to attract more Muslim tourists to stay with us and use our services. It makes a great marketing tool for us.”

He adds: “It has certainly helped us to gain customers’ trust especially Muslim tourists. We highlight the fact that we’ve been recognised as Muslim-friendly and this leads to a conversation about the various facilities and services we provide specifically for this market.”

Pullman Kuching has an on-site surau (prayer room) for the public, and provides prayer mats, prayer attire, and Qibla direction indicator in each of its guest rooms. All guest bathrooms are also equipped with bidets. Its halal-certified restaurant, Puzzle Restaurant, is open for all-day buffet or ala carte dining with Western and Asian menu options. For guests who prefer Chinese cuisine, especially halal dim sum, the Nu Er Hong Restaurant offers lunch and dinner options and have private rooms that can cater to parties of up to 48 people.

Now that the hotel has been officially recognised as Muslim-friendly, it has been getting positive reactions from partners and clientele. 

Ishak says: “We’re motivated by the positive feedback we’ve received from our guests. To enhance our services and underline the importance of this market to our staff, we’ve scheduled talks around the topic of halal and Muslim-friendly tourism and hospitality to our employees. We want to increase awareness among staff about this concept and help them better understand the market. The knowledge will inevitably lead them to serve these customers in a more thoughtful and empathetic manner.”

Ishak acknowledges the growth of the Muslim tourist market and believes that “hotels in Malaysia should take the initiative of tapping into this opportunity by ensuring their products, services, and facilities meet the faith-based needs of these travellers.”

Pullman Kuching
Sarawak
Muslim-friendly Accommodation Recognition — Silver
Certified on: 3 September 2020
www.pullmankuching.com
https://www.facebook.com/pullmankuching

About Islamic Tourism Centre’s (ITC) Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Recognition (MFAR) initiative

Hotels with the Muslim-friendly Accommodation Recognition (MFAR) certificate provided by Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) are hotels that have made it a point to ease the doubts of Muslim tourists. That means Muslim tourists can be sure that their halal kitchens and dining facilities have been certified by Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia / Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). What’s more, these hotels ensure the availability of Muslim prayer facilities so Muslim guests may perform their religious duties with ease and comfort. Best of all, you never have to worry because these hotels have been registered by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482).

But just because they’re labelled “Muslim-friendly” doesn’t mean that they’re only for Muslim visitors. Guests from all walks of life and religious beliefs are welcomed to stay at these hotels. The services and facilities of the hotels are extended to one and all so you get to enjoy the best stay possible regardless of your race or religion.

Each MFAR hotel is rated as either Silver, Gold, or Platinum depending on the depth and breadth of their services and facilities catered to Muslims.

To learn more about the Muslim-friendly Accommodation Recognition issued by Islamic Tourism Centre, please contact salaam@mymuslimtrip.com/v2