Hapeen Korea Committee Expands Cooperation with Indonesia's AMPHURI to Promote Jeju Halal Tourism

Annual Hajj Quota: 221,000, Umrah Travelers: Around 2 Million from Indonesia
Over 1,000 AMPHURI Member Agencies Form a Nationwide Network
Jeju Emerging as a Potential Linked Destination for Pre- and Post-Pilgrimage Travel

Happan Korea Committee Co., Ltd. is set to promote halal tourism in Jeju through a partnership with AMPHURI, the Association of Muslim Hajj and Umrah Travel Agencies of Indonesia. This collaboration is considered significant as it goes beyond mere tourism product partnerships, aiming to concretize a Muslim-friendly tourism model that connects Indonesia’s pilgrimage demand with tourism in Jeju.

Happan Korea Committee and AMPHURI (Asosiasi Muslim Penyelenggara Haji dan Umrah Republik Indonesia) have agreed to jointly develop halal tourism programs centered on Jeju and to tailor these programs into tourism packages suitable for the Indonesian market. The agreement documents were delivered through H. Syatiri Rahman, Lc., MA., Vice President of the Central Executive Committee of AMPHURI, and were finalized by Nurhasanah Azied, Chief Operating Officer. Through this partnership, both parties aim to increase the number of Indonesian Muslim tourists visiting Jeju and accelerate the establishment of Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure on the island.

Notably, the Jeju halal tourism program is scheduled to launch in May 2026, and from this starting point, tourism programs linked to pre- and post-pilgrimage trips, as well as the phased development of Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure, are expected to be implemented. This initiative is anticipated to serve as a starting point for connecting Jeju’s tourism sector to the Indonesian Muslim market.

Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, with substantial demand for both Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. The annual Hajj quota is approximately 221,000 people, and the Umrah market comprises around 2 million travelers per year. This demonstrates that religious travel from Indonesia functions as an international travel market, encompassing not only pilgrimage but also air travel, accommodation, food and beverages, local transportation, and linked tourism activities.

Within this market, AMPHURI is recognized as one of the leading associations representing Hajj and Umrah travel agencies in Indonesia. AMPHURI currently has 765 member agencies, forming a network responsible for the recruitment, management, and outbound travel of Indonesian Muslim pilgrims. Industry observers regard these specialized pilgrimage agencies as the main channels handling the travel demand of Indonesian Muslims.

Pilgrimage-focused travel agencies differ from general travel agencies in terms of operations. While general travel agencies typically offer tourism products centered on leisure, shopping, flexible itineraries, and price competitiveness, pilgrimage specialists operate based on the reliability and expertise required to manage religious schedules, group travel stability, appropriate food and lodging, prayer environments, travel routes, and local guidance systems. In other words, while general tourism is a market driven by individual choice and preference, the pilgrimage travel market is characterized by a stronger emphasis on operational stability and trust.

In fact, Indonesian Hajj and Umrah travel agencies have accumulated substantial operational experience by sending pilgrims abroad every year. This collaboration is meaningful as it connects this established network with Jeju tourism, thereby expanding the foundation to attract Muslim travelers whose needs differ from those of typical tourists.

For this partnership, Happan Korea Committee will take on roles such as planning and coordinating Jeju’s halal tourism programs, connecting Muslim-friendly accommodations, food and beverage services, and tourism resources, as well as establishing promotional and local cooperation systems. In particular, the committee will serve as a collaboration channel and local coordinator with Indonesian pilgrimage-linked travel agencies participating in Jeju stay programs, supporting operational stability and ensuring quality on site.

Another notable aspect of this partnership is the approach of viewing Jeju tourism not as a separate product from pilgrimage, but as a stay program that can be connected to pre- or post-pilgrimage itineraries. Industry sources believe that Indonesian Muslim travelers may visit Jeju before embarking on Hajj or Umrah, or after completing their pilgrimage for recovery and relaxation. Jeju’s safe and pleasant environment, nature-focused tourism resources, and relatively stable stay infrastructure are seen as favorable factors for such demand.

As a result, Jeju is expanding its potential as a Muslim-friendly destination where Indonesian Muslim travelers can stay before or after their religious journeys, going beyond its role as a typical tourist destination. If this partnership proceeds as planned, Jeju could establish itself as an international tourism hub connected to Indonesia’s pilgrimage demand.

The two parties plan to gradually link Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure and content in Jeju with programs tailored to the travel patterns and needs of Indonesian tourists. By considering all aspects of tourism, including accommodations, restaurants, prayer facilities, travel routes, and on-site guidance systems, they aim to enhance visitor convenience and improve the overall quality of tourism services in Jeju.

AMPHURI also plans to use its member network and local promotional capabilities to help raise awareness of Jeju’s halal tourism programs and attract more tourists. Consequently, this partnership is expected to serve as a case study of connecting Jeju to the flow of Indonesian Muslim travelers, going beyond simple institutional exchanges. When Jeju’s halal tourism launches in May 2026, it is expected to mark the beginning of Jeju’s transition into a Muslim-friendly tourism destination linked with the Indonesian market.

A representative from Happan Korea Committee stated, "We will strengthen our connections with local networks in Indonesia to establish Jeju as a trustworthy destination for Muslim tourists," and added, "Through tourism flows linked with pilgrimage, we will continue to expand the foundation for halal tourism in Jeju."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.