UIN Bukittinggi Trains Interns and Involves Malaysian Students to Boost Islamic Tourism Skills

Rabu, Juli 29, 2026

BUKITTINGGI, INDONESIA — Indonesia’s burgeoning halal tourism sector is riding a wave of rising domestic and international demand for Muslim-friendly travel. Yet, industry observers note that its rapid expansion remains constrained by a fundamental hurdle: a critical shortage of skilled talent proficient in both modern hospitality management and Islamic regulatory frameworks.

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To bridge this widening gap, the Sharia Tourism Programme at the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business/Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis Islam  (FEBI), UIN Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi (State Islamic University of Bukittinggi), rolled out a targeted internship coaching workshop from Tuesday to Friday (28–29/7/2026). The initiative aims to fast-track workforce readiness by equipping students with essential competencies in halal service standards, destination governance, and sharia-compliant certifications.

Dewi Manda, Head of the Sharia Tourism Study Programme at UIN Bukittinggi, stressed that the initiative aims to dismantle the misconception of sharia tourism as a mere promotional buzzword. Noting on the sidelines of the event, she emphasized that it is a comprehensive service ecosystem requiring high professional standards to successfully drive the market both locally and internationally.

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Adding regional weight to the workshop, six undergraduate students from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) crossed the strait to participate alongside their Indonesian peers. Their presence signals deepening academic and professional collaboration across South-east Asia as they engage in interactive dialogues focused on sustainable tourism models and cultural heritage.

Dr. Aidil Alfin, Dean of FEBI UIN Bukittinggi, championed this integrative curriculum. He emphasized that internships must transcend basic academic requirements to serve as a channel for substantive, career-defining learning that precisely matches current industry needs.

Delivering a technical keynote during the sessions, Tourpreneur tourism expert Faisal Zulfi, argued that marrying sustainable tourism principles with the emerging Tourism 6.0 paradigm is an absolute necessity. He explained that this shifts the industry focus away from past eras centered on product acquisition, sightseeing, and digital sharing toward a framework centered on what to live.

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Mr. Faisal remarked that today's industry focus no longer chases visitor numbers alone. Instead, it drives sustainability that delivers a tangible impact on the environment, society, and local economies by prioritizing authentic values that blend seamlessly with daily community life.

Complementing this macroscopic view on tourism trends, industry expert Witra Neldi unpacked the micro-foundations of hospitality and accommodation. He asserted that modern lodgings are no longer mere resting stops, but rather the beating heart of a traveler's journey.

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According to Mr. Neldi, this success relies on three core pillars: uncompromising halal hospitality standards ensuring hygiene and family privacy, emotional personalization requiring cultural empathy and warmth beyond rigid standard operating procedures, and sustainable operations integrating eco-friendly practices and local workforce integration into daily management.

Interns: Tourism internship participants receive orientation and training.

Through initiatives fusing rigorous regulatory training, international academic exchange, and next-generation sustainability models, UIN Bukittinggi continues to position itself as a vital talent pipeline for Indonesia’s ambitious sharia tourism economy. [IRWANDI]

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Dr. Irwandi

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• Emailio@uinbukittinggi.ac.id