The role of belief systems and misperceptions in halal tourism policy: evidences from Indonesia

Policy business management and public policy have dominated the discussion on changes and continuity in halal tourism policy formulation. However, similar results across differing cases suggest the need for a novel explanation that accounts for a socio-cultural explanation. This research aims to explore the role of belief systems and misperceptions to explain the success and failure of halal tourism policy sustainability. The case of Indonesia is the perfect laboratory for this research as the country hosts diverse strands of Islam, which are not limited to religious practice. This research utilizes qualitative comparative methodology by sampling two of Indonesia’s top halal tourism destinations, Lombok and Yogyakarta, which are chosen through maximum variation sampling based on their diversity of Islamic belief systems. Furthermore, this research found that while the two areas similarly have a segmented religious community, the institutionalized strands differ. In Yogyakarta, the moderate ruling elite has become the monarchy leading the region’s governance, while in Lombok, purist religious leaders hold political power. The differing belief systems have resulted in a polarised misperception of halal tourism that has hindered its policy implementation in different ways.