Residents’ support for halal tourism sustainability in the era of Covid-19

Halal tourism is an emerging concept gaining widespread popularity and standing as one of the fastest-growing segments in the tourism industry, including Malaysia. While the residents’ support for other types of tourism has been extensively researched, yet studies on residents’ support for the sustainability of Halal tourism sustainability is still particularly limited despite the growing interest in this segment. In addition, there is a pressing need to clarify its constructs and determinants that warrants a more structured conceptual framework and empirical methodology that may extend the work developed in previous studies. Furthermore, instrument items used to assess the elements affecting residents’ support for Halal tourism sustainability is urgently required. This study aims to establish a more accurate measurement method for evaluating the elements influencing residents’ support for Halal tourism sustainability. Unfortunately, in 2019, the rapid spread of the COVID-19 outbreak resulted in substantial losses for the Halal tourism industry, both locally and globally, prompting a cessation of all tourism-related activities, including accommodation. Therefore, this study primarily aims to explore the existing knowledge of Halal tourism sustainability by examining residents’ support for Halal tourism development and to determine how their support is influenced by certain elements during the COVID-19 outbreak. Guided by the social exchange theory, this study developed interview questions as instrument items to better understand the elements affecting residents’ support for Halal tourism sustainability. Based on the thematic analysis, it is revealed that certain elements have significantly influenced residents’ support for Halal tourism sustainability. Through rigorous empirical research, this study contributes to a strengthened understanding of residents’ support for Halal tourism sustainability. Findings from this study have narrowed the gap in understanding residents’ support towards the development of Halal tourism sustainability, amidst the current COVID-19 outbreak. Significantly, this study serves as a foundational step for more directed research in this area of study.