Malaysian Entrepreneurs Boost New Zealand Halal Tourism

Ever dreamed of exploring the stunning beauty of New Zealand while easily finding halal food and comfortable Muslim-friendly accommodations? For Malaysian entrepreneurs Muhammad Afiq Mohmad Nazari and Mohammad Habibullah Md Ali, that dream sparked a simple idea among fellow students. Fast forward, and their company, NZ Malaya Limited, based in Queenstown and Auckland, is now a leading name in New Zealand Halal Tourism, making those travel dreams a reality for Muslims worldwide. Let’s discover how their passion project is reshaping the New Zealand travel scene for those seeking faith-conscious adventures.

Founded by these two ambitious engineering graduates, Muhammad Afiq, 30, and Mohammad Habibullah, 32, NZ Malaya was born out of a personal understanding of the unique challenges faced by Muslim travelers. During their time as students in New Zealand, they recognized the difficulties in readily accessing halal food options, finding suitable prayer facilities, and securing accommodations that catered to their specific needs and cultural sensitivities. This firsthand experience ignited a passion to bridge this gap and create seamless, enjoyable travel experiences for the burgeoning Muslim travel market, a segment experiencing significant Halal Tourism Growth worldwide.

Launched initially in 2015, when the founders were just 20 and 22 years old, respectively, NZ Malaya quickly gained traction through word-of-mouth and a growing reputation for understanding and meeting the needs of Muslim travelers. As demand for their meticulously planned road trips and tailored itineraries surged, they officially registered NZ Malaya Limited with the New Zealand government in January 2017, a testament to their commitment and the viability of their vision for New Zealand Halal Tourism.

This entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop at New Zealand’s shores. Recognizing the importance of their home market and the potential to further expand their reach, Muhammad Afiq and Mohammad Habibullah established NZ Malaya Travel Sdn Bhd in May 2018. Based in Bukit Rimau, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, this branch serves as a crucial operational hub, supporting their expanding activities and connecting them with the vibrant Malaysian travel market, a key source of travelers interested in New Zealand Halal Tourism.

Related: Tourism New Zealand Partners with Klook to Attract Malaysian Muslim Tourists

Strong Industry Backing and a Focus on Youth Empowerment

NZ Malaya’s journey has been significantly bolstered by the strong support of the New Zealand Malaysia Business Association (NZMBA). This influential organization has provided invaluable networking opportunities, connecting the young entrepreneurs with industry leaders, government agencies, and established businesses within both New Zealand and Malaysia. This backing underscores the recognition of New Zealand Halal Tourism as a significant and growing sector with strong ties between the two nations.

Dave Ananth, President of NZMBA, has been a vocal champion of both halal products originating from New Zealand and the promotion of Malaysia, particularly the region of Nilai in Negeri Sembilan, as a central hub for global halal trade. He lauded NZ Malaya’s innovative business model, which not only focuses on providing exceptional New Zealand Halal Tourism experiences but also prioritizes youth empowerment. By offering opportunities in tour guiding, digital marketing, and business development, NZ Malaya is fostering innovation and cultivating leadership skills among young talents within the travel and tourism sector.

“The company is committed to maintaining high halal standards, ensuring that its travel experiences, food, and accommodations meet ethical and quality standards for both Muslim and non-Muslim travelers,” Mr. Ananth stated, emphasizing the company’s dedication to inclusivity and quality within the New Zealand Halal Tourism market.

Integrating Halal Standards and Expanding Global Reach

NZ Malaya’s commitment to halal integrity is further demonstrated by its integration of halal standards based on ISO 22000 into its operational framework. This internationally recognized benchmark for food safety and quality ensures that all aspects of their tours, from dining options to accommodation recommendations, adhere to the highest halal requirements, providing peace of mind for Muslim travelers choosing New Zealand Halal Tourism through their services.

Beyond their significant presence in New Zealand Halal Tourism, NZ Malaya has strategically expanded its halal-friendly travel services to a diverse range of destinations. These include Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Turkiye, China, Egypt, and Jordan – all carefully selected for their increasing accessibility to halal food options, the availability of prayer facilities, and their capacity to offer inclusive and culturally enriching experiences for Muslim visitors. This global expansion highlights NZ Malaya’s ambition to become a leading provider of halal tourism experiences worldwide, building upon its strong foundation in New Zealand Halal Tourism.

Pioneering Halal Dining and Accommodation Solutions

Recognizing that access to halal dining is a paramount concern for Muslim travelers, NZ Malaya has taken proactive steps to address this need. They launched Komunal Cafe in Malaysia, a successful venture offering a delectable fusion of Malaysian and Western cuisine within a fully halal-certified environment. Building on this success and identifying a gap in the market, NZ Malaya proudly opened Queenstown’s first Malaysian-owned halal café. This landmark establishment not only provides essential halal dining options for tourists and locals in a popular New Zealand Halal Tourism hub but also signals the company’s commitment to investing directly in the infrastructure needed to support this growing sector.

Future expansion plans for their Komunal Cafe brand include Australia, Japan, and other international markets, further solidifying their role in the global halal culinary landscape. In addition to travel and dining, NZ Malaya has diversified its offerings to include property management under the Smart Staycation and Smart Home brands. This innovative arm of the business manages over 200 halal-friendly accommodation units in both New Zealand and Malaysia. These accommodations are specifically vetted to ensure they meet the comfort, privacy, and cultural needs of Muslim travelers, providing a crucial element of assurance and convenience for those seeking New Zealand Halal Tourism options.

Collaborating for a Stronger Halal Tourism Ecosystem

NZ Malaya understands the power of collaboration and has forged strategic partnerships with organizations such as MyFundAction NZ. This organization, with its Jakim-certified team (Jakim being the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, a recognized authority on halal standards), actively raises awareness about halal tourism and food standards through various campaigns and exhibitions. This partnership underscores the importance of education and clear information in fostering the growth of New Zealand Halal Tourism and ensuring that Muslim travelers have access to reliable resources.

Dave Ananth of NZMBA further encouraged Malaysian and international companies to explore collaborations with NZ Malaya to collectively expand halal tourism initiatives beyond New Zealand. He emphasized the vast untapped potential within this sector, highlighting the opportunity for synergistic partnerships to create even more comprehensive and appealing New Zealand Halal Tourism experiences.

The Broader Landscape of New Zealand Halal Tourism

NZ Malaya’s success story is indicative of the growing global demand for halal tourism. The global halal tourism market was estimated at over USD 240 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach over USD 410 billion by 2032, demonstrating a robust annual growth rate. This growth is fueled by a young and increasingly affluent global Muslim population seeking travel experiences that align with their faith and values.

While specific figures for New Zealand Halal Tourism market size are still developing, the increasing number of visitors from Muslim-majority countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Middle East, coupled with initiatives like NZ Malaya’s and Tourism New Zealand’s collaborations with platforms like Klook to launch “Muslim-friendly NZ” campaigns, signal a clear upward trend. These campaigns aim to provide tailored, inclusive experiences for Muslim travelers, highlighting halal-friendly accommodations, dining options, and culturally sensitive activities.

Challenges and Progress in New Zealand Halal Tourism

However, despite this progress, challenges remain in fully catering to the needs of Muslim travelers in New Zealand. Research has indicated that some Muslim visitors still face difficulties in finding readily available halal food options outside of major cities and accessing prayer facilities in certain areas. Concerns about cross-contamination in food preparation and a general lack of awareness among some tourism operators regarding Muslim needs also persist.

Initiatives to address these challenges include increased efforts by Tourism New Zealand to educate tourism operators about Muslim cultural sensitivities and dietary requirements. The development of online resources and apps that identify halal-certified establishments and prayer facilities is also gaining traction. Furthermore, the growth of Muslim-owned businesses like NZ Malaya and the opening of halal-certified cafes and restaurants contribute significantly to improving the overall New Zealand Halal Tourism infrastructure.

The collaboration between Tourism New Zealand and Klook, featuring Malaysian actress Mira Filzah showcasing her family’s Muslim-friendly adventures across the North and South Islands, is a significant step in marketing New Zealand as a welcoming destination for Muslim travelers. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s recent visit to Malaysia, including discussions on tourism and a meeting with Malaysian influencer Khairul Aming, further underscores the importance of this market and the potential for continued growth in New Zealand Halal Tourism.

The Future of New Zealand Halal Tourism

The dedication of Malaysian entrepreneurs like Muhammad Afiq and Mohammad Habibullah, coupled with increasing awareness and targeted initiatives from the New Zealand tourism sector, paints a promising picture for the future of New Zealand Halal Tourism. As the global demand for Muslim-friendly travel continues its strong growth trajectory, New Zealand is well-positioned to capitalize on this significant market segment.

New Zealand Halal Tourism is on a promising growth path, significantly boosted by the vision of Malaysian entrepreneurs like NZ Malaya. This article explored the increasing availability of halal food and prayer facilities, often driven by thriving Muslim-owned businesses and the development of helpful online platforms. Despite this progress, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring consistent access to halal options and raising broader awareness of Muslim travel needs across all regions of New Zealand.