Training program to qualify personnel on Halal tourism standards, restaurants, and catering services

The Egyptian Organization for Standards and Quality (EOSQ) organized a three-day training program (from August 3 to 5) on “Halal Tourism Standards, Restaurants, and Catering Services,” in collaboration with the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC). The program saw broad participation from representatives of government entities, the private sector, and stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sectors, with 180 trainees attending.

The program’s activities included a number of specialized lectures and workshops on OIC/SMIIC 9:2019, the standard for Halal Tourism Services, and OIC/SMIIC 6:2019, which outlines the application of Halal requirements to restaurants and catering services. These sessions were conducted with the participation of a select group of experts and specialists.

The opening session was attended by Dr. Khaled Soufi, President of the Egyptian Organization for Standards and Quality; Ihsan Ovfut, Secretary General of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC); and Dr. Zaghloul Khader, representative of Cairo Halal Company.

Dr. Khaled Soufi emphasized that the organization’s hosting of this program aligns with its pivotal role in supporting quality infrastructure and enhancing cooperation with SMIIC. This collaboration contributes to building technical capacities, disseminating the culture of standardization, and improving the efficiency of workers in the tourism and hospitality sectors. These efforts aim to strengthen the competitiveness of Egypt’s tourism sector and support the state’s direction toward opening new markets and investment opportunities in Halal tourism. He noted that the organization is keen on strengthening quality infrastructure, boosting the competitiveness of the tourism sector, expanding international cooperation, and consolidating Egypt’s position as a regional hub for the implementation of Halal tourism standards.

For his part, Ihsan Ovfut, Secretary General of SMIIC, expressed his appreciation to the Egyptian Organization for Standards and Quality for hosting and organizing the program. He affirmed that the training is part of a project funded by the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC). The initiative aims to build capacity in Halal tourism and supports OIC member states in implementing OIC/SMIIC standards for Halal tourism services, restaurants, and catering. This contributes to improving service quality, enhancing consumer confidence, and opening broader avenues for cooperation among member states.

Dr. Zaghloul Khader, representative of Cairo Halal Company, stressed that the Halal tourism market is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, representing a promising opportunity for Egypt given its distinctive tourism assets, cultural heritage, and superior infrastructure. He pointed out that qualifying personnel and applying international standards contribute to raising the efficiency of tourism establishments, enhancing their competitiveness, and attracting more tourists from target markets.