Modelling Grand BlueWave Hotel in Managing Challenges of Islamic Hotel Performance (IHP): An Overview of the Islamic Spirituality Instilled

Abstract

The black history of 11th September 2001 opens up opportunities for Malaysia to welcome the blossoming numbers of Muslim tourists due to Islamophobia in western and non-Muslim countries. This great opportunity was grabbed by hospitality service providers such as hotels and restaurants in order to promote Malaysia to tourists by providing Halal and Islamic hospitality. Offering the tourists with a good package of halal vacation includes Halal resorts and hotels that serve only Halal foods and non-alcoholic drinks, separate pools, spa and leisure facilities for men and women. These services and facilities are available at Grand Blue Wave Hotel, Shah Alam. This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of Islamic values and spirituality that have been instilled in the relationship between knowledge management, market orientation and hotel performance in the aforementioned hotel. This hotel had been recognized with a number of Halal awards and offered 100% Halal services with the implementation of good spiritual elements. Data for this study was obtained from participant observation and in-depths interviews. It is strongly believed that this study will have a major impact on the existing theories in Knowledge Management (KM), Market Orientation (MO) and Hotel Performance (HP) with very strong rationales in measuring elements of Islamic values. The findings of this study could be the key points and motivational factors for other researchers, hoteliers, Ministry of Tourism and Malaysian Culture in transforming the tourism industry in Malaysia to higher levels in terms of productivity, image and performance to become innovative and efficient Halal world-class service provider.