The Malaysia Homestay Association (MHA) is now offering homestay-style Muslim-friendly packages to experience the month of Ramadan and Syawal.
Its president Datuk Sahariman Hamdan said the packages will be available at selected homestay locations throughout the country to promote the Visit Homestay Year 2025.
Tourists can experience authentic festive Malaysian cuisine and traditional attire, and gain an appreciation of local culture, including batik painting, making 'tanjak' (ethnic headgear), and traditional games.
"They will put up in the homestay and experience village life during the fasting month as well as perform terawih prayers, and observe 'Lailatul Qadr' as well as take part in 'akikah' (livestock sacrifice). This is a new product to attract Muslim tourists to this country," he said.
He was speaking to reporters at the closing of the International Homestay Islamic Tourism Festival 2023 here today, which was officiated by Pahang Religious Affairs, Rural Development, and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad.
Sahariman said the new product was in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia and the Islamic Tourism Centre, with 212 homestays under the association offering 10,000 rooms nationwide.
Currently, several homestays in Seberang Perai, Penang; Langkawi Island, Kedah; and Temerloh, Pahang are ready for visitors, he said.
In addition to Indonesia, the association is also targeting tourists from China and India following the government's 30-day visa waiver for the two countries.
Regarding the festival today, he said 500 tourists from 12 countries including Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and Japan participated in an itinerary that included visits to mosques, sampling local cuisine, and learning about Malaysia's culture.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency