Sharia Tourism Development Strategy for West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract

Sharia tourism consists of recreational activities that are based on Islamic values. Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country, and this is especially true of West Nusa Tenggara Province. However, the word tourism market does not associate the province with the concept of sharia travel. The Indonesian tourism ministry has designated three provinces for sharia tourism development: Nanggro Aceh Darussalam, West Sumatera, and West Nusa Tenggara. These three provinces should be in a good position to implement this policy. West Nusa Tenggara (also known as Nusa Tenggara Barat, or NTB) is well positioned to prepare for the arrival of tourist from Muslim countries and regions because Muslims comprise the majority of the population there. NTB is known as having “a thousand mosques”, as well as many Islamic boarding schools and clerics. It has many places of Islamic heritage, there are many hotels and restaurants serving halal food, and its art and culture reflect the nuances of Islam. This paper assesses potential sharia tourist destination in West Nusa Tenggara using qualitative methods to recommend a tourism development strategy.