Young Women’s Voices Shaping Sustainable and Inclusive Halal Tourism

Voices from young Muslim women travellers play a critical role in Halal travel and tourism. At the bi-monthly dialogue organised by the HaSIM (Halal, Sustainability and Inclusive Tourism) Forum, three panellists, Siska Mandalia, Safina Naz, and Cherry Austin Navira, shared their insights into how Halal tourism is advancing sustainability and inclusion. The event, which was held on February 7, 2026, was hosted by Associate Professor Hera Oktadiana of the Trisakti Institute of Tourism Indonesia, an adjunct academic at Griffith University and James Cook University Australia, and Elyn Hastriana, Director of RAMA Group.

Siska Mandalia, a lecturer at UIN Mahmud Yunus Batusangkar, Indonesia, and a PhD candidate at the University of Dundee, UK, specified that Muslims travel with values based on our faith that guide our decisions as a compass, not as a restriction. Our faith and values make our travels more intentional, reflective, and meaningful. Tourism is not just about destinations; it also relates to values, identity, ethics and belonging. Inclusion should be designed in travel and tourism, not as an add-on. Inclusion is not limited to physical infrastructure accessibility or system readiness. It involves providing certainty and confidence for travellers. Uncertainty creates hesitations which lead to discomfort.

Siska shared her story, saying she appreciated the gestures and efforts of café staff in London in finding information on the food ingredients. The sincerity of the staff in providing clear information creates trust and a feeling of welcoming and belonging. Siska further emphasised that Muslims do not demand perfection and are highly adaptive. However, it doesn’t mean that our needs can be ignored. Inclusion is an emotional experience. What we value most is the effort. Micro-inclusion creates macro impacts. Respect for travellers leads to longer stays, a greater likelihood of return visits, and increased spending.

Safina Naz, the PhD candidate and hospitality and sustainability tourism researcher at the University of Surrey, UK, underscores that for young Muslims, Halal tourism presents something much bigger than just Halal food, practical basics, and services. It is beyond the simple checklist. Halal tourism is a form of tourism that is shaped by values, care, dignity, responsibility and belonging. Travel for Muslims is the highest form of education, and the young Muslims seek authenticity and values in travel.

Safina pointed out that Halal tourism aligns strongly with sustainability and inclusion: how to travel ethically and protect the environment and care for the community – not just for branding or Halal washing for the marketing purposes. Safina added that waste management in Halal tourism goes beyond environmental issues as it relates to moral and ethical responsibility. She also highlights that inclusion has to be central in Halal tourism, including accessibility for disabled travellers, dignity and safety for women, welcoming diverse communities and respecting local cultures, which could be felt by travellers.

Cherry Austin Navira, an entrepreneur and content creator, commented that social media is a beneficial tool to promote sustainable and inclusive Halal tourism globally with a click of a finger. However, what we post has to be appropriate, valuable, and educative, as our posts and stories shape the branding and image of Halal tourism.

When being asked about Halal tourism in the next ten years, the panellist expressed several hopes: 1) Halal tourism should no longer be viewed as a niche market or treated as an accessory; instead, it should become prevalent and globally recognised. 2) Halal tourism should convey ethical and responsible travel, as human beings are the khalifah, or guardians, of nature. Therefore, it is not just about permissibility and compliance. 3) Halal tourism serves as a value-driven model in sustainability and inclusivity in tourism, as it is ethically grounded – even further, as a model for regenerative tourism.

The panellists also anticipated that inclusion in tourist destinations should be designed based on trust and transparency, where women feel safe, disabled travellers are fully accommodated, and communities feel respected and empowered. Such an atmosphere will create confidence for tourists, and they will be more connected to the destination. The panellists believe that technology can help build confidence and reduce travel anxiety through intelligent platforms. Empowered young women can transform tourism from a transactional model to a relational and more humanised approach, fostering a world built on responsible and inclusive travel.