Malaysia Expands Halal Leadership with World's First Muslim-Friendly Spa Programme

BERLIN - March 4, 2026 - PRLog -- Malaysia has taken a strategic step to extend its leadership in the global halal ecosystem into the spa and wellness sector, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) and the Association of Malaysian Spas (AMSPA) at ITB Berlin.

The collaboration will see ITC roll out a structured Muslim-Friendly Spa Guideline and Training Programme to 100 AMSPA members through dedicated training modules, capacity-building programmes and a formal recognition framework.

It also signals Malaysia's intent to strengthen standards within the halal wellness segment while positioning the country as a reference point for destinations seeking to tap into the growing Muslim travel market.

ITC formulated the spa and wellness guidelines jointly with AMSPA and Islamic Science University of Malaysia, benchmarking them against the SMIIC Halal Spa Standards adopted at the OIC level.

By introducing structured guidelines and training tailored specifically for spa operators, ITC aims to provide a clear direction to the industry on service delivery, operational considerations, privacy standards and guest experience enhancements that cater to Muslim travellers—while remaining inclusive and commercially viable for the wider market.

Mohammad Faisal Abu Suaib Khan, Director-General of ITC, says: "Wellness and spa services are part of the whole travel experience. By developing practical guidelines and training programmes, we are not only enhancing service quality but also building industry confidence in serving the Muslim market in a structured and professional manner."

AMSPA President Selinastein Mohd Rashid welcomes the partnership, describing it as timely and forward-looking. "We commend the initiative by the Islamic Tourism Centre in advancing the Muslim-Friendly Spa ecosystem. This milestone reflects Malaysia's strong commitment to positioning our wellness industry as inclusive, trusted, and globally competitive," she said.

The signing in Berlin also serves as a signal to international spa operators and destinations that Muslim-friendly frameworks are becoming an increasingly relevant consideration in global tourism planning. Mohammad Faisal says: "We see strong global interest in serving the Muslim travel market, but many stakeholders are unsure where to begin. ITC's training and recognition programmes provide a ready and adaptable framework. We see this as a positive step towards raising global standards and trust."

For more info, visit https://www.itc.gov.my.