The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) held an Islamic Culture in Tourism Workshop yesterday, which had the imam of the Islamic Association of Macau, Ding Shaojie, as the key speaker, according to an MGTO statement.
According to the statement, MGTO sought to familiarise travel industry personnel with the religion through the workshop to enable them to provide “more thoughtful services” that suit Islamic visitors’ needs.
Moreover, the statement noted that the workshop was also held to enable tourism industry personnel to “advance professional growth and gain competitive strengths”, adding that their enhancement will “upgrade tourism service quality at large and reinforce the positive destination image”, as Macau moves towards tourism market diversification.
An overview of the Islamic faith exemplified by Abraham was presented, along with Islam’s religious rituals, festivals, customs and cultural characteristics, according to the statement.
The statement added that the participants, which comprised staff from hotels, catering businesses and travel agencies, as well as tour guides, were also introduced to the “norms and concerns in serving Muslim visitors”.
MGTO Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong also attended the workshop, the statement said. It did not say where the workshop was held.
MGTO, the statement underlined, will continue to organise workshops and training courses addressing cross-cultural and barrier-free tourism.
This handout photo provided by MGTO yesterday shows the workshop’s key speaker, Islamic Association of Macau Imam Ding Shaojie, giving a presentation.
