عنوان

An Examination of the Influence of Islam on Hospitality and Customer Service Standards in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) Industry in Southern Thailand

TL50026

انگلیسی

An Examination of the Influence of Islam on Hospitality and Customer Service Standards in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) Industry in Southern Thailand

[Thesis]

Songsin Teerakunpisut

Western Sydney University (Australia)

2018

253

Place of publication: United States, Ann Arbor; ISBN=9781082909993

Ph.D.

Western Sydney University (Australia)

2018

The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) sector has been recognised by the Thai government as one of the major sources of national revenue and a catalyst to a renewal of the Thai economy. In addition to the general growth that is witnessed in the Thai MICE industry, there is substantial growth within the Islamic MICE market, supported by more general increases in the number of domestic and international Muslim tourists in Thailand. However, Thailand is officially a Buddhist country and Thai identity is based on the main religion of the nation. That said, Muslims are regarded as a significant and growing ethnic group, especially in Southern Thailand. More than 80% of Muslim Thais live in the south of the country, and approximately one-third of Thai southerners are Muslims. Given the MICE industry in the south of the country has been developed in order to increase tourist demand, both domestic and foreign, and part of this demand comes from Muslim travellers, it is notable that there is still a great lack of understanding about Islamic practices in the industry. There is also a severe shortage of services and facilities for halal-conscious customers in venues. The MICE sector is currently facing the challenge of diversity because it is expected to provide amenities with options for a variety of customers to observe their religious obligations when attending meetings and events. Further, from an academic perspective, little is known about the area of halal hospitality in the MICE context, either from the perspective of staff or clients, of researching the choices staff make when catering for Muslim customers, and of the views of this group of clientele during their trips. This has made it difficult to understand the needs of this growing sector and how improvements can be made to the provision of services that reflect Islamic principles. In order to address these issues, this thesis first examines awareness of Islamic beliefs and practices, Muslim-friendly service provision in MICE, and religious diversity in the workplace. Second, the thesis is concerned about the growing demand of Muslim customers and how their specific requirements may not blend with Thai identity and existing hospitality services. From within this context, the aim of this thesis is to examine the influence of Islam on hospitality and customer service in the MICE industry in Southern Thailand.

Political science

(UMI)AAI13895075;Social sciences

Malekan, Mozhgan

Western Sydney University (Australia)

2228730862; 13895075

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y