Exploratory Analysis of Halal Hotel Service (Based on practices of Halal hotels in three countries)

Muslim market has been increasingly an attractive market for tourism industry. With total population of 1.6 Billion or 23% from total world population Muslim market is very lucrative and has to be treated in accordance with Muslim belief and way of life. Halal tourism becomes a must have in the industry to accommodate Muslim tourists. Hotel plays an important role in the growing halal tourism industry. The Success of tourist visit often depends on how acceptable is the hotel where they are staying with Muslim norms and facilities to conduct ibadah (worship) such as Sala (praying). Muslim tourists generally concern if hotel is Muslim friendly and could accommodate their halal life style. Some of the need of Muslim visitors during their stay are: the hotel provides a sign of Ka’bah direction, mat for praying, facility for ablution, wet toilet (water instead of tissue) in toilet, staff wearing modest dress, no pork on food, no alcohol, relevant music with Islamic atmosphere, no adultery entertainment, etc. therefore, it’s far beyond halal food, but also not least to mention the segregation of public facilities for female and male as for majority of Moslem halal is a life style, including during travel. The objective of this research is to do exploratory analysis of halal hotel services based on practices of three halal hotel at three countries: Hotel Sofyan (Jakarta, Indonesia), De Palma Hotel Ampang (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) and Adenya Hotel and Resort (Antalya, Turkey). Research methodology uses qualitative approach through in-depth unstructured interview with selected informants (primary data) and the use of secondary data plus site observation on selected Halal Hotels in Jakarta (Indonesia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Antalya (Turkey). Keywords—Exploratory analysis, Halal (Muslim friendly) hotel services, Halal tourism, qualitative study.