Islamic Tourism Centre and Kyrgyz Republic Partner to Boost Muslim-Friendly Tourism

In a significant move to bolster Islamic tourism, the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) and the Kyrgyz Republic’s Department of Tourism, under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This strategic partnership, sealed at a ceremony held at DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, aims to strengthen collaboration in Muslim-friendly tourism, underscoring shared goals of cultural exchange, mutual economic growth, and global promotion of Islamic tourism standards.

The signing ceremony was led by H.E. Mr. Maksat Usubaliev, Director of Kyrgyzstan’s Department of Tourism, and Mr. Nizran Noordin, Director-General of ITC, with several distinguished guests in attendance, including H.E. Mr. Anvar Anarbaev, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Malaysia; Ms. Svetlana Kalchakeeva, Head of International Co-operation Department of the Tourism Development Support Fund of Kyrgyzstan; and YBhg. Dato’ Yeoh Soon Hin, Deputy Chairman of Tourism Malaysia.

H.E. Mr. Usubaliev highlighted the importance of the agreement, noting Malaysia’s established reputation in Islamic tourism. “We recognize Malaysia’s accomplishments in creating a welcoming environment for Muslim tourists. This MoU will allow us to build high standards in Kyrgyzstan’s Muslim-friendly tourism, learning from Malaysia’s extensive experience,” he said. Echoing this sentiment, H.E. Mr. Anarbaev remarked, “This partnership marks a new chapter for our tourism sector, focusing on the unique needs of Muslim travelers while promoting Kyrgyzstan’s natural and cultural richness.”

Mr. Noordin expressed ITC’s commitment to knowledge sharing and resource exchange. “Through this MoU, ITC seeks to enhance Islamic tourism offerings in both countries. We aim to assist Kyrgyzstan in developing a recognizable Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH) ecosystem by providing expertise in standards, training, and certification, much like our initiatives in Malaysia, including the Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition (MFAR) and the Muslim-Friendly Tourist Guide (MFTG) programs.”

The MoU outlines key areas for cooperation, including joint capacity-building initiatives such as training workshops, seminars, and study tours, which will focus on elevating the skills of tourism professionals. Collaborative efforts will also focus on the establishment of Islamic tourism indicators, data sharing, and research projects aimed at advancing the Muslim-friendly travel experience in both nations.

With the shared goal of creating a global standard in Muslim-friendly tourism, this partnership represents a forward-thinking approach to developing tourism sectors that respect cultural values while attracting international visitors. The collaboration is expected to boost economic growth and deepen cultural connections between Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan, paving the way for future opportunities within the global Islamic tourism industry.

For further information, contact the Corporate Communications Unit at the Islamic Tourism Centre.