Traveling to Korea, never worry about halal foods

Jeju, NU Online
South Korean cultures have shocked the world with the so-called Korean Waves ranging from K-Drama to K-Pop which have many fans across the world. One of which is Gangnam style having been watched by some 800 million on Youtube. In the technology sectors, who did not know Samsung, Hyundai, Daewo, LG and a number of other well-known brands that are able to challenge the reliability of the popular brands from the U.S., Europe and Japan.<>

Such cultures have also contributed to promote its tourist sectors. In this case, a travel agency in Indonesia has also enjoyed a booming interest in travel to a number of destinations in Korea, in which part of its beauties has widely been televised.

Unfortunately, there are wide cultural differences that must be bridged. Muslim travelers want halal foods and the availability of places for prayers, while the Muslim community has not been so well known in Korea, because there have been some 40 thousand Korean Muslims and some 120 Muslim immigrants in total, only about 0.2 % of the total population, amounting to approximately 50 millions.

Tubagus Irfan Farhan, the manager of product development and market analyst of PT Garuda Indonesia said that there had been many Muslim tourists who want to visit Korea, "but they want the availability of halal food."

Given the tremendous interest in this Korean tour, along with a number of travel agents who used to deal with Hajj and Umrah affairs, they have formed a Muslim Corsortium Trip to Korea, which is fully supported by the Korean Tourism Organization (KTO).

"We want to provide the best services to Muslim travelers. The food we serve never 'contains pork', but is actually processed (in the Islamic) halal ways," he said here on Tuesday (20/11).

Along with 20 members of the travel agency, on November 21 to 26, they have travelled to South Korea to feel directly the Muslim tour. Participating in the group were Chiarman of Lawmaking Body of NU KH Masdar F Mas'udi, Prof. Dr. HM Bambang Pranowo, rector of Banten's Mathlatul Anwar University and one of representatives of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta.

Irfan stated, "to provide halal meat, we 've booked a week in advance, so that animals have been slaughtered in the Islamic ways," he said.

Similarly, the prayer time will be provided, especially for dhuhur and Asr prayers in the plural, while Maghrib and Isha prayers will be performed at the hotel, and for the dawn prayer, the hotel is willing to remind through a morning call.

Jinki Hwang, overseas promotion assistant manager Jeju Tourism Organization said "the Muslim-based tourism is being developed", but he realized there were still many things that need to be done, he said in a meeting with the group at the office of the Jeju Tourism Organization on Thursday.

One of Seoul tour guides who accompanied the Indonesian tourists admited, his understanding of Islam was minimal, saying he had learned Islam a few weeks ahead of the arrival of the Muslim Consortium.

"I have just known the reason why Muslims eat only halal foods and I have just known, Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country," he said.

He also tried to visit the mosque, and he was surprised with the beauty of the place of worship of Muslims.

According to Irfan, there are three Korean Muslim tour packages offered at  very attractive prices, the cheapest is around USD 700 up to USD 1,200. In comparison, for their own travel, round-trip airline ticket at normal rates ranged between Rp. 6 million. Expected in mid-December ahead, the program will have already been effective.

Reporting by Mukafi Niam; Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq