REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PADANG -- Developing Halal tourism in West Sumatra will strengthen the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Deputy II for Foreign Policy at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Lutfi Rauf stated.

"West Sumatra can replicate (the model adopted by) Malaysia and Thailand, which are consistently developing Halal tourism," he remarked here, Friday.

He noted that Halal tourism could become one of the identities of the ASEAN community.

Halal tourism is a sub-category of tourism catering to Muslim families that abide by the rules of Islam. The hotels in such destinations do not serve alcohol and have separate swimming pools and spa facilities for men and women.

"Thailand, for instance, though not a Muslim-majority nation, is quite advanced in terms of Halal tourism," Rauf said, adding that the competitiveness of human resources should be increased for developing Halal tourism. 

"It is time for West Sumatra to strengthen vocational education for developing Halal tourism," he emphasized.

He pointed out that Indonesia can take a cue from Thailand, which has a low unemployment rate, but 54 percent are junior high school graduates and continue their education at vocational schools.

In connection with Halal tourism and the ASEAN, Padang Mayor Mahyeldi Ansharullah noted that the cooperation among countries in Southeast Asia can be intensified for developing the sector.

He said Padang has cooperated with Malaysia in the areas of culture, economy, and tourism several times.

The cooperation includes cultural exchange, investment, comparative study, and information exchange, he added.

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