ANALISIS CABARAN PELAKSANAAN KONSEP PELANCONGAN MESRA MUSLIM DI SABAH: IMPLIKASI TERHADAP PEMBANGUNAN INDUSTRI PELANCONGAN

ANALYSIS OF THE CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING THE MUSLIM-FRIENDLY TOURISM CONCEPT IN SABAH: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

Abstract

Pelancongan mesra Muslim merupakan segmen penting dalam industri pelancongan global yang berpotensi menyumbang kepada pertumbuhan ekonomi destinasi pelancongan. Malaysia, khususnya Sabah, mempunyai peluang besar untuk memanfaatkan potensi ini melalui penyediaan kemudahan dan perkhidmatan yang memenuhi keperluan pelancong Muslim. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis keperluan dan cabaran pelaksanaan konsep pelancongan mesra Muslim di Sabah serta implikasinya terhadap pembangunan industri pelancongan. Pendekatan kualitatif digunakan melalui analisis dokumentasi untuk mengenal pasti cabaran yang dihadapi oleh pihak berkepentingan seperti kekurangan kemudahan asas, kekangan modal, serta ketiadaan garis panduan khusus. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa tahap kesedaran pengusaha pelancongan terhadap konsep mesra Muslim masih rendah, manakala polisi dan peraturan sedia ada belum diselaraskan dengan keperluan tempatan. Kajian ini mencadangkan penambahbaikan dalam aspek pemantapan polisi, peningkatan kesedaran, dan kerjasama strategik antara kerajaan, pengusaha, dan NGO. Penyelidikan masa depan disarankan untuk menilai impak ekonomi pelancongan mesra Muslim dan penggunaan teknologi digital dalam memperkukuh daya saing destinasi pelancongan mesra Muslim di Sabah.

Muslim-friendly tourism is an important segment in the global tourism industry that has the potential to contribute to the economic growth of tourist destinations. Malaysia, particularly Sabah, has a tremendous opportunity to harness this potential by providing facilities and services that meet the needs of Muslim tourists. This study aims to analyse the needs and challenges of implementing the Muslim-friendly tourism concept in Sabah and its implications for the development of the tourism industry. A qualitative approach was used through document analysis to identify the challenges faced by stakeholders, such as the lack of basic facilities, capital constraints, and the absence of specific guidelines. The study findings indicate that the level of awareness among tourism operators regarding the Muslim-friendly concept is still low, while existing policies and regulations have not yet been aligned with local needs. This study suggests improvements in the aspects of policy strengthening, awareness enhancement, and strategic cooperation between the government, operators, and NGOs. Future research is recommended to assess the economic impact of Muslim-friendly tourism and the use of digital technology in enhancing the competitiveness of Muslim-friendly tourism destinations in Sabah.