KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 – Global hospitality technology company OYO has announced its ambitious plan to introduce 200 Syariah-compliant hotels in Malaysia by 2028, with an initial target of adding 50 such hotels across the country in 2024. This initiative, which kicked off with the launch of OYO’s first Syariah hotel in Sepang, is part of the company’s efforts to cater to the needs of Muslim travelers and contribute to the growth of Islamic tourism in Malaysia. The Syariah-compliant hotels will adhere to Islamic principles, providing facilities and services that comply with Syariah law, including separate prayer spaces for men and women, Qibla direction indicators, and prayer mats in guest rooms. Most of these hotels will be located in cities such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis.
Aligned with the government’s Muslim Friendly Hospitality Assurance (MFAR) program, initiated by the Islamic Tourism Center, OYO’s initiative aims to establish Malaysia as a regional ‘Umrah Hub’ by providing culturally sensitive accommodation options for Muslim travelers. Akshay Rathod, Country Head of OYO Malaysia, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting the government’s tourism promotion initiatives and leveraging insights from similar programs in Indonesia to enhance offerings in Malaysia. With the Muslim-friendly travel sector projected to reach US$274 billion by 2024, Malaysia’s continuous efforts in catering to Muslim tourists have been recognized globally, securing the top spot in the Global Muslim Travel Index for the eighth consecutive year in 2023.
