Muslim-Friendly Sustainable Geo-Tourism (MFS-GT): A Qualitative Study Using the Grounded Theory

Abstract

Muslim-Friendly Tourism (MFT) and geo-tourism destination have proliferated without implementing adequate synergies, thereby the current research aimed to integrate data on Muslim-Friendly Tourism with sustainability ideas to develop a theory. One of the qualitative designs applied was the grounded theory approach. The Qur’anic verses and Hadith of the prophet dealing with sustainability concerns were analysed. The qualitative analysis of the verses yielded two components constituting a wide conceptual paradigm of Muslim-Friendly Sustainable Geo-Tourism (MFS-GT). These notions contribute to achieving environmental balance and human health development as part of the objectives of Shariah (Maqasid al-Shariah). Religious components (Islamic values, culture and norms, and ethics), and sustainable components (the concept of environment, community participation, and socioeconomic) were investigated under MFS-GT. This study provides insights to MFT stakeholders as practitioners, and it can be strategically applied to incorporate the MFT and geo-tourism destination idea as a tool to safeguard the place’s sustainability.