Sustainable Halal Tourism: Integrating Education and Gastronomy to Promote Cultural Diversity in Malaysia



Author Information

Siti Syahirah Saffinee, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Malaysia
Wan Nazri Che Mat Safiee, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Malaysia
Norfarhana Ahmad Ghafar, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia views gastronomy as a powerful agent for understanding cultures and sustainable tourism development. The present study is a critical look at halal tourism in Malaysia and highlights how Maqasid Shariah values are being practiced, particularly through the application of Halal EduGastronomy, which is the integration of education and halal local cuisines. It aims at fostering appreciation for culture while enhancing the ability of the local street food sellers. The general aim of this research is to assess how the application of the concept of Halalan-Toyyiban enhances the halal food experience in tourist destinations in Malaysia. Qualitative case study design was employed, wherein participant observation and in-depth interviewing were utilized. The method provides rich information about strengths and weaknesses of Maqasid Shariah implementation in the halal tourism practice. Findings show that Shariah-compliant practices improve food quality, reinforce ties between tourists and local halal food vendors, and reduce health, safety, and ethical concerns. All these findings combined collectively increase respect for Malaysia’s multicultural heritage, which aligns with national tourism goals. Based on these outcomes, the study recommends the Halal EduGastronomy Tourism (HEGTo) model, a Shariah-integrated system that supports cultural preservation and economic sustainability through ethical tourism. By combining education, heritage, and cuisine, this structure offers a strategic direction to upscale Malaysia’s position as an excellent Muslim-friendly tourism destination. The study offers significant implications for policymakers, tourism practitioners, and resource persons along with a reference point in setting sustainable halal tourism practices for Malaysia.


Paper Information

Conference: ACSS2025
Stream: Sustainability

This paper is part of the ACSS2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Saffinee S., Safiee W., & Ghafar N. (2025) Sustainable Halal Tourism: Integrating Education and Gastronomy to Promote Cultural Diversity in Malaysia ISSN: 2186-2303 – The Asian Conference on the Social Sciences 2025: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 139-143) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2186-2303.2025.12
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2186-2303.2025.12


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