The Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), in cooperation with the Directorate General of Standards and Metrology of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman, conducted a capacity-building programme on halal tourism and restaurant standards in Salalah, Dhofar Governorate, from 1 to 3 September 2026. The programme was implemented within the framework of COMCEC Project No. 2025-SMIIC-433, entitled “Capacity Building of Tourism Stakeholders with OIC/SMIIC Halal Restaurant and Tourism Services Standards.” The activity forms part of SMIIC’s efforts to support Member States in understanding and practically implementing halal standards in tourism, hospitality and food-service sectors.
The opening programme brought together senior officials and representatives of key institutions in the Sultanate of Oman, including H.E. Ghalib bin Said Al Maamari, Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry, H.E. Azzan bin Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, and H.E. Mr. İhsan ÖVÜT, Secretary General of SMIIC. The programme was also attended by Mr. Imad Al Shukaili, Director General of Standards and Metrology, Dr. Said Al Busaidi, Director of the Oman Accreditation Centre, representatives of Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), and stakeholders from governmental and private-sector institutions involved in tourism, hospitality, restaurants, standardization, conformity assessment and accreditation. SMIIC highlighted the importance of cooperation among tourism authorities, standardization and accreditation institutions and the private sector in translating halal tourism requirements into practical services.
Approximately 120 participants attended the first-day awareness workshop. The programme introduced the concepts of halal and halal certification, SMIIC and its OIC/SMIIC halal standards, as well as the halal tourism market and the opportunities available for Oman to further develop tourism services that respond to the needs of Muslim travellers. The sessions also discussed the role of standards in strengthening trust, service quality and destination competitiveness. Particular attention was given to Oman’s strong potential in halal and family tourism, especially in Salalah, where natural attractions, hospitality, cultural values and a family-oriented social environment provide a strong basis for developing tourism experiences suitable for Muslim families and other visitors seeking safe and family-friendly destinations.
During the second and third days, approximately 70 trainees participated in the specialized technical training, which focused on the practical implementation of OIC/SMIIC 9:2019 on Halal Tourism Services and OIC/SMIIC 6:2019 on the requirements applicable to restaurants and establishments where halal food and beverages are prepared, stored and served.
The technical sessions addressed the application of the standards in tourism establishments, hotels, restaurants and catering operations, including conformity scope, management of halal tourism services, the needs of Muslim travellers, and the preservation of halal integrity throughout service delivery.
The technical training was delivered by Dr. Mohammed Ali Alsheikh, SMIIC Specialist and Project Coordinator, who presented the key requirements of the standards and guided participants through practical implementation approaches and examples relevant to the tourism and hospitality sectors.
The programme represents another activity under the COMCEC capacity-building project implemented by SMIIC across a number of OIC Member States, with the objective of strengthening national stakeholder capacities in the implementation of halal tourism and restaurant standards and promoting cooperation among national standards bodies, tourism authorities and the private sector.
The programme concluded by emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation between SMIIC, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, DGSM, the Oman Accreditation Centre and other relevant Omani institutions in strengthening the halal quality infrastructure and supporting the Sultanate’s potential as a promising destination for halal and family tourism.
