Project final

MGT 2010
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF MANAGEMENT
SECTION 7
May 6, 2015
TOURISM AND
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Wira Saujana Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
-A FINAL SUBMISSION-
To:
• ASSOC. PROF. DR. SUHAIMI MHD SARIF
Done By:
• 1221881 AbdelFateh Ouail
• 1428187 Adi Adha Bin Zainal Abidin
• 1411577 Muhammad Syahmi Bin Zai Zani
• 1224425 Md Saidur Rahman
TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY !1

ABSTRACT

Abstract:
Tourism Industry:
Unlike many other industries, the tourism sector keeps on growing
generating positive effects on both income and job creation. According to
the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) the tourism industry
accounted for more than 9 per cent (9%) of world GDP in 2010. In
addition, the United Nations World Tourism Organization estimates that
international arrivals are expected to reach nearly 1.5 billion by the year
2020.
A number of major factors can explain this dramatic increase in
demand for tourism:
1. the process of globalization;
2. the development of mass transportation and motorization (and
the parallel decrease in cost of transportation due to improvements in
technology);
3. the rhythm of increase of world GDP as well as the increase of
income to be allocated to travels;
4. the introduction of new ICT applications in the work of public
and private stakeholders in the tourism sector;
5. the general improvement of security and rights for tourists.
Every and each of the above mentioned factors is signiﬁcantly
contributing to shaping a different institutional landscape and economic
environment for a number of economic players such as Convention
Bureaus, Professional Conference Organizers, Destination Management

Companies, Airlines, Hotels, Conference Venues, Congress Centers,
Convention Centers, Exhibition Centers. Moreover, companies in the
tourism sector are confronted with increasing managerial challenges and
have to deal with a turbulent and fast changing environment.
Travel Agencies:
Travel Agency is a very essential sector in the Tourism Industry. It is
ensure its own survival and development but through the provision of
travel services to tourists and through its other business activities to the
tourism industry provide valuable tourist, thus boosting economic
development in the area tourism.
Compare to tourism transport, hotels and others tourism related
industry, travel agency is a keen developing business. There are less people
focus study in the management system of travel agency. Since the
development of the tourism industry in booming in recent years weather in
inbound tourism or outbound tourism, the study of the management of
travel agency is in changing.
This project is to focus on a case of a local travel agent (Saujana Wira
Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.) and some of its most important management
issues. The major objectives is to highlight the issues, analyse them
evaluate and after that suggest a couple of solutions, and relate all that
with the Islamic perspectives.

COMPANY
BACKGROUND

Company Background:
Saujana Wira Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. is a travel agency that handles
and provides Umrah Packages, Hajj Packages and other tour Muslim
packages.
It has been established on 4 July 1988 and registered under the
Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Finance, International Air Transport
Association (IATA), the Association of Tourism Agencies (MATTA) and
Bumiputra Malaysia Association of Travel Agencies (BUMITRA).
Saujana Wira Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. is also one of 18 companies
Hajj organiser (PJH) registered with the Hajj Fund Board. On the trust
and support given by the clients, they have managed to operate for more
than 25 years in the industry.
The main activity of the company is organising Umrah package, with
an average of 2,500 people each year. The company’s operations
management ofﬁce located in Taman Medan Batu Caves, Selayang
supported by a total of 14 employees who are committed and competitive.
While operating in the Holy City (Mecca), the company is managed by
three staff from Malaysia and assisted by 4 Mutawwif Indonesia's
experience in handling the needs of Umrah activities.
The company deals on its Umrah packages with only Saudi Airlines
ﬂight. It has also signed a contract with the international company, named
Muassasah us in Mecca which help them to arrange visa applications along

with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia and the Saudi
Arabian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
The company has also signed a contract with Deafah Nada hotel in
Mecca which is located only 180 meters to the Grand Mosque. In Medina,
it has consistently used Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick hotel which is the
largest hotel in Saudi Arabia and located just 20 meters from the Prophet's
(S.A.W) Mosque. Its commitment is to provide a close and comfortable
accommodation for the clients to enjoy their days in the Holy Cities.
Coinciding with the company's mission is to provide the best Umrah
and Hajj offers, they are selective in choosing a counselor umrah and hajj
to serve in the Holy City. Among the leaders who have worked with the
company: Fadhil Al-Habib Ali Zaenal Abidin, Naqjamuddin Syed
Othman Syed Habib, Ustaz Dr. Zaharuddin Abd Rahman, Ustazah Dr.
Fatma Zahra, Ustaz Dato Ismail Kamus, Ustad Hussain Yee, Mayikhi
Ustaz Omar (former Imam Masjid Besar Negeri Selangor), Ustazah
Hajjah kalthom Dato Hisham (Former Resource TH) and a few others.

MANAGERIAL ISSUES
ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
SOME SUGGESTIONS

Internet and travel agencies’ business
According to Dr Dimitrios Buhalis, “The internet bubble may have
burst, but the raise of online travel sales and distribution is remorseless,
and agents must adjust”. Internet, indeed, increasingly penetrated into all
spheres of life, possessing huge amount of information available to users
for numerous purposes, ranging from personal interests such as music,
movies, games, communication over social networks, through education,
professional formation and business purposes, to various ﬁnancial
transactions. The number of so-called “e-consumers” who purchase
through internet the majority of necessary products (including tourism
products) is growing. Besides the facility of usage and accessibility to
everybody (that, of course, have access to internet), as an additional pro-
factor there is the factor price decreased for the fees that intermediaries
have to pay to producers. But on the other hand, agents have the
knowledge, the professionalism, the expertise and experience that the
greatest number of e-consumers does not possess, although some of them
are already quite experienced and successful in their personal on-line
transactions.
Growing offer of diverse tourism products and services via internet
entails the inevitable adjustment of intermediaries to new tendencies in
terms of creating development strategies, introducing innovations and
improving quality in order to maintain competitiveness on the tourism
market. Internet actually can be, and in most cases is, a tool for improving
the business of travel agencies. But, as far as it can improve the business, it
can also jeopardize it. Therefore, these companies must constantly acquire
new information and communication technologies, because they represent
the future not only of tourism industry, but also all other world industries.

Data Collection
In order to get a clearer insight and create a wider picture regarding
the impact of internet on business performances of travel agents and the
current trends on tourism market, we considered inevitable the contact
with travel agents themselves. For this purpose, we assembled a set of
questions that we believed could mostly contribute to formulation of
certain conclusions regarding the defined matter:
1. Is your organization recently facing any difficulties in terms of
lower operating performances and poorer demand of your services
due to expansion of internet? If so, what are the main consequences
for your business?
2. Do you think that intermediaries should adapt to new market
trends and in which ways? Which actions do you consider appropriate
in the fight against the “extinction” of travel agencies in the future?
3. Have you personally undertaken some measures and / or
introduced some innovations to your business? Are you familiar with
the performances of your direct competitors and the measures
assumed by them?
4. Which benefits do you propose to your clients, that direct
purchase via internet cannot offer?
5. Looking to the future, do you think that the tendency of direct
purchase through internet will intensify or, on the other hand, users
will afresh rely on help of intermediaries? What factors will affect the
aforementioned tendencies?
6. Do you think that future trends will have a greater impact on the
smaller travel agencies and the ones that don’t belong to a chain of
travel agencies, than it would be the case with market leaders?

One issue:
Saujana Wira Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. has experienced a few
negative consequences of the expansion of internet, some of which are a
notable decline in business performances and the loss of time in terms of
synchronising the prices with the competition’s pricing. However, the
manager of this agency stated that there are still many users who prefer
contact with intermediaries, either out of fear of personal allowances
through a website, or simply because they consider relying on agency to be
a safer and easier option.
As far as adjusting to new trends, there are several measures
emphasised by our interviewee in terms of overcoming the aforementioned
problems:
• Reservation system improvement;
• Reaching an agreement with producers to reduce the prices,
especially when customers require it personally;
• Personalised approach to each and every client.
Concrete measure that this agency has undertaken in order to improve
its business performance was the creation of website through which the
customers are now able to make their travel reservations without having to
leave home.
Some interlocutors justiﬁe that there are numerous beneﬁts that go
along with purchasing travel services through travel agencies. The main
advantage is that the agent can answer more questions and provide more
information to clients than it is the case with the internet. Also, in case of a
problem during the travel, the agency employee is willing and obliged to
help solve the determined problem.

Regarding the future perspective, some interviewees believe that the
trend of direct booking via internet will not intensify in the future,
claiming that it is a “current fashion” that will come to an end as all
fashions do. One bad customer’s experience when booking through the
internet very often can work as a disincentive for future bookings of this
type, out of fear to repeat the mistake. Depending on the product and the
customer demand, it is not impossible to ﬁnd similar or even lower prices
within the offer of a travel agency than it is the case with the internet
bookings.
Our travel agency, although one of the market leaders, does not
consider itself differentiated from other agencies in terms of
inconveniences on the tourism market, justifying that the same problems
affect both large and small market participants. The only difference lies in
the negotiating power of Saujana Wira Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd., in terms
of arranging more favourable prices with producers.

Another issue:
Saujana Wira Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. is still considered as a travel
agency of smaller dimension, which has felt numerous negative effects
caused by the expansion of internet. Due to the new possibility of online
bookings at any time of the day and without leaving home, clients turn to
agents only in order to obtain information about the destinations,
subsequently making travel reservations directly through the internet, thus
only consuming the agents’ time for consultation, without bringing any
material proﬁts. However, the interviewees do not believe in the complete
disappearance of travel agencies, but surely closure of many, especially
those lacking a strong market position, coupled with the fact that even the
leaders are facing the difﬁculties to maintain competitiveness.
So as to overcome the problem, agencies should focus on their greatest
advantage in comparison to the internet, which is the direct contact with
clients. In case of any eventual problems the agency, unlike the internet, is
obliged to provide assistance and support to clients, while otherwise the
client is personally responsible for eventual errors while booking.
Agent also believes that in the future the contact with intermediaries
will intensify, because there will always be sceptics, suspicious of giving
away their personal data and credit card information, those who do not
have a credit card, as well as those who have had negative experiences
when direct purchasing via internet, among others. In addition, he also
considers that the expansion of internet affects both large companies as
well as the smaller ones, whether they are leaders on the market or not.

One more issue:
Some interviewees within our agency believe that the expansion of
internet in the last ten years slightly unfavourably reflected on travel
agencies in Malaysia. Most agencies in the earlier period obtained a solid
profit, at least by selling airline tickets. The emergence of low-cost
companies whose capacities are sold exclusively through the internet, and
also the public airlines that have their own web sites, directly affect the
number of clients who use agencies’ services. When it comes to individual
hotel bookings, subtle changes are notable when compared to previous
period, while in the case of package tours (summer and winter holidays),
internet still doesn’t have a remarkable impact.
In order to survive on the tourism market, it is of crucial importance
to constantly work on clients’ trust, use the many advantages of internet,
offer the possibility of on-line bookings, gather the agencies on joint
projects and intensify promotional activities using billboards, web
presentations, participation in tourism fairs and direct communication with
clients. Last one allows the user to be informed at any time of all details
regarding the service that is offered to him. In case of lacking the desired,
expected and paid service, the client can always turn to the travel agent.
Internet, despite its advantages, cannot provide that.
Environment in which the travel agencies of Malaysia operate is only
recently under a more noteworthy influence of the internet. Elderly
population, which is currently the most important target group of travel
agencies, is still showing resistance when it comes to buying services
through the internet. When it comes to younger users, the internet is
increasingly becoming the primary means of any form of communication,
which will certainly manifest negatively on the operations of travel

agencies in the future. This especially applies to agencies of smaller
dimension and agencies with offices in small towns that do not possess their
own facilities, nor have the means for their own lease. Unlike them, tour
operators in most cases have their own facilities and greater financial
means, thanks to what the future trends will have lesser impact on their
status and operations.
The interviewees also consider that resorting to intermediaries when
organising the trip even evidenced growth in recent years. The same
applies to the number of travel agencies and tour operators. Additionally,
they believes that travel agencies, due to their professional and specialised
services of high security, reliability and practicality, will never disappear.
Agencies “follow” the client during the entire process of planning and
conducting the trip, moreover offering numerous payment conveniences.
Apart from that, there is still quite a difference between the
intermediaries and the internet in terms of products that are being offered.
Internet offers only single products and services, while travel agencies offer
organised, complex and more personal travel packages. In this respect, the
online offer cannot measure up with the travel agencies’. However, despite
the belief that internet doesn’t represent a significant threat to the travel
agencies’ business, it is still of crucial importance to continuously adjust to
market trends, consumer demands, destinations, new products and
technologies, as well as the importance of the continuous improvement of
service quality.
Regarding the future perspectives of the agencies’ operation
performances, some interlocutor believes that the users will re-prefer the
contact with travel agents out of the above mentioned reasons. The

reduction of clientele could rather be explained as a consequence of the
economic crisis, than the expansion of internet.

CONCLUSION

Based on the conducted interviews, the first notable thing is the variety
of opinions regarding the determined issue. Representatives of those three
shown issues stated to feel no significant changes in the number of clients,
and even if it is the case, the interviewees believe the main reason for that
is not the expansion of internet, but the current economic crisis. They also
declare to notice diminution of number of clients and believe it to be
partially a result of the expansion of internet, among other factors.
As for the necessity for adaptation to current trends, it is very clear
that it is necessary to always monitor the trends on the tourism market,
constantly innovate and improve business performances. In this regard, our
agency asserted a set of measures such as creation of personal websites in
order to enable online bookings for the clients, working on augmentation
of customers’ confidence by providing professional and personalised
services, as well as the participation in tourism fairs and other exhibitions
related to tourism.
Consequently, we have pointed out the numerous benefits that travel
agents provide to their customers when compared to the internet. First of
these is “being there” for the client throughout the whole process – from
planning the trip, staying at the touristic destination, up to arrival to the
place of residence, instilling the confidence and security in case of
unpleasant events. In addition, by buying a trip through travel agency, the
client receives specialised and personalised service that cannot be
compared with the individual and unorganised offer through internet sites.

With the realisation of this research, we obtained answers to speciﬁc
questions about the impact of internet on travel agencies’ business, the
advantages and disadvantages of both types of planning and realisation of
the tourist trips, and various opinions regarding the future of
intermediaries among other ﬁndings, having as a base the actual
statements and opinions of experts. Travel agencies are indispensable in
many aspects, and we believe that in the foreseeable future they are not
threatened by extinction and that they cannot be fully replaced by the
internet which is unable to offer a physical presence, security, reliability,
commitment and high degree of specialisation owned by travel agents. In
addition, internet can also work as a tool for improvement of business
performances, not only as a threat. Travel agents can (and many already
did) create a personal web site with their tourism offers, identical to those
created by the producers of tourism products and services, and thus unite
their advantages with advantages of the internet.

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES

Siyaahah (travel and/or tourism) may mean many things, but in
modern usage it is limited to a few meanings, which indicate moving about
in the land for fun or to look at things, research and ﬁnd out, and so on;
not to earn money, work or settle there.
When discussing tourism from the point of view of Islamic sharee’ah,
we must look at the following categories:
Firstly: The concept of siyaahah in Islam
Islam came to change many of the distorted concepts that are held by
imperfect human minds, and to connect them to the most sublime and
honourable values and morals. In the minds of earlier nations, siyaahah
was connected to the concept of self-punishment and forcing oneself to
travel through the land, and exhausting the body as a punishment for it or
as a way of shunning this world. Islam abolished this negative concept of
siyaahah.
Ibn Haani’ narrated that Ahmad ibn Hanbal was asked: Is a man who
travels about dearer to you, or one who stays in his city? He said: Siyaahah
has nothing to do with Islam, and it is not the action of the Prophets or the
righteous.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali commented on the words of Imam Ahmad by
saying:

Siyaahah in this sense was done by some groups who are known to
strive in worship without knowledge; some of them gave up this activity
when they realized that it was not right.
Islam came to elevate the concept of siyaahah, and to connect it to
great and noble aims, such as the following:
1. Connecting siyaahah to worship. So travel – or siyaahah – is
enjoined in order to perform one of the pillars of Islam, namely Hajj
during certain months, and ‘umrah to the House of Allaah (S.W) is
prescribed throughout the year. When a man came to the Prophet
(‫#لم‬##########‫س‬‫و‬ ‫#ليه‬##########‫ع‬ ‫اهلل‬ ‫#لى‬##########‫ص‬) and asked him for permission for siyaahah (in the
ancient sense of travelling as an act of asceticism or self-punishment
only), the Prophet (‫#لم‬#######‫س‬‫و‬ ‫#ليه‬#######‫ع‬ ‫اهلل‬ ‫#لى‬#######‫ص‬) guided him to something that is
more sublime and better than siyaahah. He said to him: “The
siyaahah of my ummah is jihad for the sake of Allaah (S.W).”
Narrated by Abu Dawood (2486); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in
Saheeh Abi Dawood; its isnaad was classed as jayyid by al-‘Iraaqi in
Takhreej Ihya’ ‘Uloom al-Deen (2641). Think about how the Prophet
(‫#لم‬##########‫س‬‫و‬ ‫#ليه‬##########‫ع‬ ‫اهلل‬ ‫#لى‬##########‫ص‬) made a connection between the kind of siyaahah
that is encouraged in sharee’ah and a great and noble aim.
2. In the Islamic worldview, siyaahah is also connected to knowledge
and learning. The greatest journeys were undertaken at the beginning
of Islam with the aim of seeking and spreading knowledge. al-Khateeb
al-Baghdadi wrote a famous book called al-Rihlah ﬁ Talab al-Hadeeth
(Travelling to seek hadeeth) in which he compiled the names of those

who travelled for the sake of a single hadeeth. For example one of the
Taabi’een said concerning the verse in which Allaah (S.W) says:
“(The believers whose lives Allaah (S.W) has purchased are) those who
turn to Allaah (S.W) in repentance (from polytheism and hypocrisy), who
worship (Him), who praise (Him), who fast (or go out in Allaah (S.W)’s
Cause), who bow down (in prayer), who prostrate themselves (in prayer),
who enjoin (on people) Al‑Ma‘roof and forbid (people) from Al‑Munkar,
and who observe the limits set by Allaah (S.W). And give glad tidings to the
believers” [al-Tawbah 9:112]
‘Ikrimah said: al-saa’ihoon (translated here as who fast (or go out in
Allaah (S.W)’s Cause) are the seekers of knowledge.
This was narrated by Ibn Abi Haatim in his Tafseer (7/429). See also
Fath al-Qadeer (2/408).
Although the correct meaning according to the majority of the salaf is
that what is meant by al-saa’ihoon is those who fast.
3. Another of the aims of siyaahah in Islam is to learn lessons and
receive reminders. The command to travel about in the land appears
in several places in the Qur’aan. Allaah (S.W) says:
“Say (O Muhammad ‫#لم‬#############‫س‬‫و‬ ‫#ليه‬#############‫ع‬ ‫اهلل‬ ‫#لى‬#############‫ص‬): Travel in the land and see
what was the end of those who rejected truth” [al-An’aam 6:11]

“Say to them (O Muhammad ‫#لم‬#########‫س‬‫و‬ ‫#ليه‬#########‫ع‬ ‫اهلل‬ ‫#لى‬#########‫ص‬): “Travel in the land
and see how has been the end of the Mujrimoon (criminals, those who
denied Allaah (S.W)’s Messengers and disobeyed Allaah (S.W))” [al-Naml
27:69]
al-Qaasimi (may Allaah (S.W) have mercy on him) said they are the
ones who go to different places to study the ruins and learn a lesson from
them and seek other beneﬁts.
4. Maybe the greatest aim of siyaahah in Islam is to call people to
Allaah (S.W) and to convey to mankind the light that was revealed to
our Prophet Muhammad (‫#لم‬##‫س‬‫و‬ ‫#ليه‬##‫ع‬ ‫اهلل‬ ‫#لى‬##‫ص‬). This is the mission of the
Messengers and Prophets and their companions after them (may
Allaah (S.W) be pleased with them). The companions of our Prophet
Muhammad (‫#لم‬###‫س‬‫و‬ ‫#ليه‬###‫ع‬ ‫اهلل‬ ‫#لى‬###‫ص‬) spread throughout the world, teaching
the people goodness and calling them to the message of truth. We
hope that the concept of siyaahah today will try to achieve the same
great aims.
5. Finally, siyaahah in Islam also includes travelling to ponder the
wonders of Allaah (S.W)’s creation and to enjoy the beauty of this
great universe, so that it will make the human soul develop strong faith
in the oneness of Allaah (S.W) and will help one to fulﬁl the
obligations of life. Relaxation is essential to enable one to strive hard
after that.
Allaah (S.W) says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: Travel in the land and see how (Allaah (S.W)) originated the
creation, and then Allaah (S.W) will bring forth the creation of the
Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death). Verily, Allaah (S.W) is Able to do
all things” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:20]
Secondly: Guidelines on the type of siyaahah (tourism) that
is acceptable in Islam.
Islamic sharee’ah has brought a number of rulings that regulate
siyaahah so that it will achieve the aims mentioned above and will not
overstep the mark or become a source of evil and harm in society. These
rulings include the following:
1. It is haraam to travel for the purpose of venerating a speciﬁc
place, except the three mosques.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah (S.W) be pleased
with him) that the Prophet (‫#لم‬#####‫س‬‫و‬ ‫#ليه‬#####‫ع‬ ‫اهلل‬ ‫#لى‬#####‫ص‬) said: “No journey should be
undertaken to visit any mosque but three: al-Masjid al-Haraam, the
Mosque of the Messenger (‫#لم‬##‫س‬‫و‬ ‫#ليه‬##‫ع‬ ‫اهلل‬ ‫#لى‬##‫ص‬) and the Mosque of al-Aqsa.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1132) and Muslim (1397).
This hadeeth indicates that it is haraam to undertake “religious
journeys”, as they are called, to any mosque other than these three, such as
those who call for travelling to visit graves or mashhads (shrines) or tombs
or mausoleums, especially those tombs that are venerated by people and

from which they seek blessing, and they commit all kinds of shirk and
haraam actions there. There is nothing in sharee’ah to suggest that places
are sacred and that acts of worship should be done in them apart from
these three mosques.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him)
said: I went out to al-Toor (Sinai) where I met Ka’b al-Ahbaar and sat with
him … He mentioned a lengthy hadeeth then he said: Then I met Basrah
ibn Abi Basrah al-Ghifaari who said: From where have you come? I said:
From Sinai. He said: If I had met you before you went out, you would not
have gone to that place. I heard the Messenger of Allaah (S.W) (‫اهلل‬ ‫#ى‬‫ل‬##################‫ص‬
‫#لم‬###############‫س‬‫و‬ ‫#ليه‬###############‫ع‬) say: “Mounts are not to be ridden except to three mosques: al-
Masjid al-Haraam, this mosque of mine and the mosque of Eeliya’ or
Bayt al-Maqdis [Jerusalem].”
Narrated by Maalik in al-Muwatta’ (108) and al-Nasaa’i (1430).
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i.
So it is not permissible to travel with the aim of visiting any holy place
except these three. This does not mean that it is haraam to visit mosques in
Muslim lands, because visiting them is prescribed and is mustahabb.
Rather what is forbidden is setting out with that aim. If a person has
another reason for travelling, and he happens to visit the mosque too, there
is nothing wrong with that, rather he is obliged to pray Jumu’ah and
prayers in congregation.

It is even more haraam to travel to visit places that are regarded as
holy in other religions, such as those who go to visit the Vatican or
Buddhist idols and so on.
2. The evidence also indicates that it is haraam for the Muslim to
travel in kaafir lands in general, because of the evils that will affect the
Muslim’s religious commitment and attitude as the result of mixing
with those nations who pay no attention to religion and morals,
especially when there is no need for him to travel for medical
treatment or business and so on, rather it is just for leisure and for fun.
Allaah (S.W) has made the Muslim lands spacious, praise be to Allaah
(S.W), and He has placed therein wonders of creation so that there is
no need to visit the kaafirs in their lands.
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allaah (S.W) preserve him) said:
Travelling to kaafir lands is not permissible, because there are many
dangers posed to one’s beliefs and morals by mixing with the kuffaar and
staying among them. But if there is a valid need and a sound purpose for
travelling, such as travelling for medical treatment that is not available in a
Muslim country, or travelling to study something that is not available in a
Muslim country, or travelling for business purposes, these are valid
purposes for which it is permissible to travel to kaafir countries, provided
that one adheres to the rituals of Islam and is able to carry out his religious
duties in that country, but that (travel) should be done only as much as is
necessary, then one should return to the Muslim world.

As for travelling for tourism, that is not permissible, because the
Muslim has no need of that and it does not serve any interest that matches
or outweighs the harm and danger to his religious commitment and beliefs
that it involves.
Al-Muntaqa min Fataawa al-Shaykh al-Fawzaan (2/question no. 221)
We have already discussed this question in detail and at length on our
site. Please see the answers to question no. 52845, 8919 and 13342.
3. There can be no doubt that sharee’ah forbids tourism in places of
corruption, where alcohol is drunk and immoral actions take place and
sins are committed, such as beaches and parties and immoral places,
or travelling to hold celebrations on innovated festivals. The Muslim is
enjoined to keep away from sin so he should not commit sin or sit with
those who are committing sin.
The scholars of the Standing Committee said:
It is not permissible to go to places of corruption for the sake of
tourism, because of the danger that poses to one’s religious commitment
and morals. Islam came to block the means that lead to evil.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (26/332).
So how about tourism that encourages sin and immorality, and is
organized in order to promote it and spread it?
The scholars of the Standing Committee also said:

If this tourism involves making it easy to commit sin and evils, and
promotes them, then it is not permissible for the Muslim who believes in
Allaah (S.W) and the Last Day to help others to disobey Allaah (S.W) and
go against His commands. If a person gives up something for the sake of
Allaah (S.W), Allaah (S.W) will compensate him with something better
than it.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (26/224).
4. With regard to visiting the ruins and places of former nations, if
they are places of punishment where they were swallowed up by the
earth, transformed or destroyed because of their disbelief in Allaah
(S.W), then it is not permissible to take those places as sites for tourism
and recreation.
The scholars of the Standing Committee were asked:
In the city of al-Bada’, near Tabook, there is an area where there are
ancient ruins and houses carved out of the mountains, and some people
say that these were the dwellings of the people of Shu’ayb (peace be upon
him). My question is: Has it been proven that these were the dwellings of
the people of Shu’ayb (peace be upon him) or not? What is the ruling on
visiting these ruins for one whose aim is to have a look at them, and the
one whose aim is to ponder and learn a lesson?
They replied:
It is well known among the scholars that the houses of Madyan to
whom the Prophet Shu’ayb (peace be upon him) was sent were in the

north-west of the Arabian Peninsula, which is now known as al-Bada’ and
its environs.
Allaah (S.W) knows best what is really true. If this is correct, then it is
not permissible to visit those places for the purpose of having a look at
them, because when the Prophet (‫#لم‬‫س‬‫و‬ ‫#ليه‬‫ع‬ ‫اهلل‬ ‫#لى‬‫ص‬) passed though al-Hijr –
which was where the houses of Thamood were – he said: “Do not enter
the dwellings of those who wronged themselves unless you are weeping,
lest there befall you something like that which befell them.” Then he
covered his head and urged his mount to move on quickly until he left the
place behind.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3200) and Muslim (2980).
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah (S.W) have mercy on him) said, whilst
listing the lessons and rulings learned from the campaign to Tabook:
One who passes by the places of those who were subjected to divine
wrath or who were punished should not enter them or stay among them,
rather he should hasten to move on and should cover his head with his
garment until he has passed them, and he should not enter upon them
unless he is weeping and willing to learn a lesson. An example of this is
when the Prophet (‫#لم‬######‫س‬‫و‬ ‫#ليه‬######‫ع‬ ‫اهلل‬ ‫#لى‬######‫ص‬) hastened to move on in the valley of
Muhsir, between Mina and Muzdalifah, because it was the place where
Allaah (S.W) destroyed the elephant and its companions.
Zaad al-Ma’aad (3/560).

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allaah (S.W) have mercy on him) said,
commenting on the hadeeth quoted above:
This applies to the dwellings of Thamood and others like them,
though the reason was given concerning them.
Fath al-Baari (6/380).
See: Majmoo’at Abhaath Hay’at Kibaar al-‘Ulama’ fi’l-Mamlakat
al-‘Arabiyyah al-Sa’oodiyyah, vol. 3, essay entitled Hukm Ihya’ Diyaar
Thamood.
5. It is also not permissible for a woman to travel without a mahram.
The scholars have stated that it is haraam for a woman to travel
without a mahram for Hajj or ‘umrah, so how about if the travel is for
the purpose of tourism which involves a lot of carelessness and
haraam mixing?!
6. As for organizing trips for kuffaar in Muslim countries, the basic
principle is that it is permissible. If a kaafir tourist is granted
permission by a Muslim state to enter, then he is granted safety until
he leaves. But during his stay in the Muslim country he should be
required to show respect for the Islamic religion and the morals and
culture of the Muslims; he should not call people to his religion or
claim that Islam is false, and he should only go out in clothes that are
appropriate for a Muslim country, not as they are accustomed to dress
in their country, semi naked and decadent. He should not be a helper
or spy for his people. And finally the kuffaar should not be allowed to

visit the two Holy Sanctuaries in Makkah and Madeenah al-
Munawwarah.
Thirdly:
It is obvious to everyone that tourism (siyaahah) nowadays mostly
involves sin, immoral deeds and transgression of the sacred limits, such as
deliberate wanton display and nakedness, permissive mixing, drinking of
alcohol, promotion of corruption, imitation of the kuffaar and
introduction of their customs and ways, and even their diseases, let alone a
waste of money, time and effort. All of that happens in the name of
tourism. We remind everyone who is concerned about his religion, morals
and ummah not to help to promote this evil kind of tourism; rather he
should ﬁght it and ﬁght against the culture that it promotes; he should be
proud of his religion, culture and morals, for they will protect him against
all evils, and give him an alternative in the conservative Muslim lands.
And Allaah (S.W) knows best.

REFERENCES

Saujana Wira Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. Website:
http://www.wirasaujana.com
Saujana Wira Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. Ofﬁce:
At: 16-1A, Jalan Medan Batu Caves 1, Taman Medan Batu Caves,
68100 Batu Caves, Selangor.
The biggest digital challenges facing the travel industry:
Qubit roundtable insights:
http://blog.qubitproducts.com/the-biggest-digital-challenges-facing-
the-travel-industry-qubit-roundtable-insights
Challenges and Opportunities Facing Canada's Tourism
Industry:
http://www.tourism.gc.ca/eic/site/034.nsf/eng/00040.html
Challenges and Opportunities for Tourism Development in
Small Island Developing States:
http://www.e-unwto.org/content/m47h4q
Islamic Perspectives:
http://islamqa.info

THANK YOU

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