Malaysia Hosts World Islamic Tourism Conference 2026, Bringing Together Delegates from More Than 35 Countries Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia | November 5, 2026 Malaysia is hosting the 5th World Islamic Tourism Conference (WITC 2026), bringing together international tourism leaders, policymakers, industry experts and academics to discuss the future of Muslim-friendly travel. The two-day conference is being held on November 5–6, 2026, at Zenith Hotel in Kuantan, Pahang. It is organised by Malaysia's Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, with the Pahang State Government serving as the official host. According to the official announcement issued by ITC on November 5, the conference is expected to attract more than 150 international participants from over 35 countries. Future of Muslim-Friendly Tourism This year's conference carries the theme "Faith and Family Beyond Borders", highlighting the growing importance of family-oriented travel, cultural understanding and tourism experiences that accommodate Muslim travellers. The programme includes 13 conference tracks addressing emerging opportunities and challenges in the global Muslim travel industry. Key discussion areas include the future of Umrah, halal gastronomy, Islamic heritage, artificial intelligence in tourism, emerging travel markets and Muslim-friendly tourism standards. Four International Partnership Agreements Announced The conference is also serving as a platform for international industry cooperation through four Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchanges. The partnerships involve: - Tourism Pahang and King's Park Genting Highlands for destination promotion. - ITC, King's Park Genting Highlands and Rita Synergy Holdings for developing a Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem. - ITC and Canada's Halaali App Ltd for digital integration and international promotion. - ITC and Halal Certification Services (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. for cooperation on Muslim-Friendly Assurance Recognition and capacity building in China. These agreements are intended to expand Malaysia's Muslim-friendly tourism network and strengthen cooperation with international industry partners. Muslim Travel Market Expected to Expand During the conference, Malaysian tourism officials highlighted projections from the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2025/26. According to the figures cited by the ministry, Muslim travel spending is projected to increase from US$249 billion in 2024 to US$424 billion by 2029. The projection reflects the growing economic importance of Muslim travellers and the demand for accessible, culturally appropriate and Muslim-friendly tourism services. Why This Conference Matters The discussions in Kuantan could help shape future opportunities in halal tourism, Umrah services, digital travel platforms and international certification. For Muslim-majority countries and tourism businesses, the conference provides a platform to develop partnerships and attract travellers seeking experiences that respect their religious and family needs. Islam Global News will continue following developments in the global halal tourism industry and international Muslim travel market. News Desk: Islam Global News Publication Date: November 5, 2026 Location: Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia Primary Source: Islamic Tourism Centre, Malaysia