Latest news with #Muslim-friendly
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Patisserie's halal certification marks new chapter of growth
Lapisan Patisserie cafe in Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur, serves pastries and pastas. LAPISAN Patisserie has achieved another milestone upon officially receiving its halal certification from the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) for its cafe in Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur. Lapisan Patisserie is a French-style pastry brand operated by Secret Recipe Cakes and Cafe. 'We have been serving Muslim-friendly food since day one, and we are proud to share that Lapisan Patisserie is now officially halal-certified,' said Secret Recipe Cakes and Cafe business development manager Darren Sim. 'With this recognition, we are committed to maintaining the highest quality standards across all of our menu items, ensuring that our offerings meet the required food safety and premises cleanliness criteria required by Jakim. 'This certification is a significant milestone in the overall development of the Lapisan Patisserie brand,' he said. Secret Recipe Cakes and Cafe marketing manager Ryan Chung said: 'Our dedication has always been driving everything we do to quality and creativity, and we are sure that the brand will only get stronger with the ongoing support of our customers. 'We are eager to start this new chapter as we broaden our reach and introduce the Lapisan Patisserie experience to even more customers.' Signature pastries at Lapisan Patisserie include Honey Toast, a baked milk bread coated with honey and finished with a touch of caramel glaze; Strawberry Maritozzo which is a sweet bun filled with chantilly mascarpone and fresh strawberries; and Peach Delight Danish, made with croissant dough then filled with almond cream and topped with juicy peach slices. Since its opening in August 2024, Lapisan Patisserie has made a name for itself in Malaysia's vibrant dessert industry. For details, visit Lapisan Patisserie's social media platforms.
Web Release
24-05-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Shaza Hotels Eyes New Opportunities with Strategic Growth Plans
Amid rising demand for regionally inspired hospitality experiences, Shaza Hotels is emerging as a leading regional brand poised for strategic expansion across the Middle East and key Muslim-friendly markets. With an ethos rooted in Eastern traditions and a progressive vision for the future, Shaza is one of the few brands successfully bridging the gap between regional identity and global appeal. Shaji Abu Salih, Vice President, Business Development and Growth, Shaza Hotels and Mysk by Shaza, stated, 'Today, investors and travellers alike are placing greater value on culturally immersive brands that speak to local narratives. The beauty of regional brands like Shaza is our ability to be agile, authentic, and closely aligned with community values. This builds loyalty not only among guests but also among our partners.' Shaza's focus on responsible growth, backed by strong distribution networks, digital transformation, and loyalty programmes tailored for regional travellers, is allowing it to scale sustainably while maintaining its distinct identity. As global markets look to diversify offerings, the success of regional players like Shaza signals a shift in investor and guest confidence – from legacy luxury to meaningful, modern brands. Shaza's growth journey continues on the Silk Route, fuelled by purpose and guided by heritage.
The Star
21-05-2025
- The Star
A floral escape in the mountains of Taiwan
Witness the vibrant blooms at Yangmingshan's Bamboo Lake in Taipei, Taiwan. — Taipei Travel Net Walking through a field of white calla lilies and surrounded by fresh mountain air is one of the best ways to welcome spring in Taiwan. While lilies bloom here from March to April, this same field transforms into an expanse of vibrant hydrangeas throughout May to June. This scenic field of flowers at Yangmingshan's Bamboo Lake, located in Taipei city, is home to the 100-day Bamboo Lake Calla Lily and Hydrangea Festival. The event is technically made up of two parts: The lily festival, which was held recently, has been celebrated for over two decades, while the hydrangea festival will kick off on May 23. The latter is currently in its 13th year, and will run until June 22. Themed 'A World Of Imagination', this year's event showcases creative foliage displays crafted by local farmers. Visitors can also experience two unique installations that make for ideal photo backdrops: The Tree Frog Dream House and the Wheel Of Love. Enjoy scenic nature walks, discover clear mountain creeks, join craft workshops, and sample local delicacies at the festival. 'Flowers create a unique bond between nature and people. As Taipei continues to enhance its Muslim-friendly offerings, we are committed to providing well-equipped facilities and thoughtful services to ensure all travellers feel welcomed and at ease,' Abe Chou, the director of Kuala Lumpur's Taiwan Tourism Administration office, said in a press statement. Recognised as one of the Muslim-friendly destinations, ranking third among non-organisation of Islamic Cooperation nations in the 2024 Global Muslim Travel Index, Taipei offers a range of halal dining options, prayer facilities at major attractions, and services tailored for Muslim travellers. Additionally, Taipei was awarded the 'Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Travel Destination City' by CrescentRating, a Singapore-based research organisation.
The Star
16-05-2025
- The Star
Taiwan reconnects with Malaysians through ‘Waves of Wonder' travel fair
Off to a good start: The Waves of Wonder Taiwan Travel Fair officially launched in Penang for a three-day showcase. – Photos by KT GOH/ The Star TAIWAN, which has been ranked the third most Muslim-friendly destination among non-OIC (Organisations of Islamic Co-operation) countries, is stepping up efforts to attract Malaysian tourists with the return of the Taiwan Travel Fair - Waves of Wonder to Penang after a break of a few years. Held at Queensbay Mall from now to May 18, the three-day fair is part of a major promotional push by the Taiwan Tourism Administration, bringing together 57 delegates from 26 organisations including hotel groups, theme parks and travel associations. Themed 'Railway Tourism' with the slogan 'Come to Taiwan for a Drink', the fair features a life-sized replica of the Haifeng Train (Sea Breeze Train), promoting scenic rail travel along Taiwan's coastlines. Visitors checking out the travel fair, eager to explore the sights, tastes and travel deals. With Muslim tourists forming a growing segment of Taiwan's visitors, a dedicated Taiwan Tourism Workshop was also held earlier and attended by over 100 local travel agents. Taiwan Tourism Administration Kuala Lumpur director Abe Chou noted, 'Last year, we welcomed some 460,000 visitors including many Muslims from Malaysia. 'Our 'Salam Taiwan' campaign in Malaysia shows we are ready as we have more than 400 halal-certified restaurants and hotels and numerous prayer facilities across the country.' Influencers like Wei Hong (with over 500,000 followers), Jing Jing and TV anchor Chen Jia-Rong (Ah Rong) were invited to the fair to share their Taiwan experiences, and inspire more Malaysians especially the large ethnic Chinese community in Penang to rediscover the island. Over the weekend, visitors to the fair can enjoy DIY crafts, taste Taiwanese delicacies such as tofu pudding and teas, and catch live shows by award-winning performers like the Diabolo Walker, a troupe awarded six gold medals in the Taiwan National Sports Games, and nose flute artist Gilra Gilrao. Event staff welcoming visitors with goodie bags and sharing information about Taiwan's travel highlights. The fair also promotes Taiwan's new tourism brand 'Taiwan – Waves of Wonder' and last year, seven sites and two eco-friendly tourism operators made the Top 100 Green Destinations list. Head of Taiwan's economic and cultural office in Malaysia Phoebe Yeh, said Taiwan offers something for everyone from scenic mountains like Jade Mountain (3,996m) for nature lovers to a nine-day cycling route over a 900km loop for adventure seekers. 'Travel on the Haifeng Train and enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean from the comfortable coaches,' she added. Exclusive travel gifts await visitors who book their trips between now and May 18, during the fair where eight travel company booths and 26 Taiwanese representatives are showcasing tourism products and packages.
The Star
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Seamless holiday experiences with AirAsia Move
Travellers from Malaysia and Thailand can search for recommended events and places of interest on the AirAsia Move app. — Unsplash Planning a quick escape to Singapore is a whole lot easier now. AirAsia Move has recently teamed up with Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to offer Malaysian and Thai travellers seamless travel experiences, with perks and personalised recommendations available on the app. What this means is that when travellers look for flights or hotel stays from the app, nearby events and attraction offerings will be featured. This allows visitors to make the most out of their itinerary. The initiative includes Muslim-friendly options, making it easier for Muslim holidaymakers to look for halal food and prayer facilities throughout the city. Using technology and user data, STB and AirAsia Move tailor suggestions based on each traveller's interests and preferences – whether it is popular landmarks, cultural attractions, or local street eats. AirAsia Move's chief executive officer Nadia Omer said in a press statement: 'By leveraging our digital ecosystem and consumer insights, we aim to enhance conversion and engagement while simplifying travel planning to Singapore.' Travellers can explore these offerings via the AirAsia Move app. Additionally, AirAsia Move is also jointly working with Royal Brunei Airlines to give users more flight options across Asia, the Middle East, and Britain, all of which can be booked in one place. Royal Brunei Airlines' sales and marketing manager Noor Hidayah Abdullah said in a statement, 'This partnership enhances the accessibility of our flights and improves the overall booking experience. The intuitive interface of the app simplifies the process, making travel planning effortless for our passengers.' Now working with over 70 airline partners and offering access to more than 900,000 hotels around the world, AirAsia Move is fast-becoming a one-stop platform for every kind of traveller.
