Siak, (Antaranews Riau) - The Government of Siak District in Riau is implementing a halal tourism concept to attract more foreign visitors, especially from Muslim countries.
Head of Siak District Tourism Office, Fauzi Asni, said Siak in Riau Province has been transformed into a favourite destination for local and foreign tourists.
"We need to implement the halal tourism programme with support from all agencies, including local people, service, accommodation, and tourism sectors in Siak District," he said at the Halal Tourism Coordination Meeting in Siak Regent's Office on Friday.
The trend of Halal tourism has been catching up across the world, especially in the field of culinary services.
Assistant I of Siak District's Secretary, Hendrisan, said local government and related agencies needed to communicate with traders, hotel managers, restaurant owners, and other service providers so that they complied with the rules of the concept of halal tourism.
He further expressed hope that the regulation on halal tourism, ratified as the Regional Regulation (Perda) of Siak District about Halal Tourism, could move forward as soon as possible, though there were still some obstacles and negative responses.
"We expect that in some places, there will be a notification or sign of praying time or halal label," he added.
Head of Religious Affairs Ministry, Muharam, also suggested that sharia values should be applied in the halal tourism programme, especially in every culinary product, accommodation, and tourist services.
"We hope the implementation is conducted gradually, although halal food is expensive," he said.
The local Government and Indonesian Ulema Council of Siak District has launched the socialisation of halal conscious society movement to raise awareness among local people about the importance of halal products.
