Halal Healthcare Tourism: Nurses’ Perspectives

Abstract

Abstract Muslim-friendly tourism or halal tourism is an industry targeted by the Indonesian government. This is also created as an opportunity for the halal healthcare tourism industry. Previous studies in Indonesia have been conducted in the area of halal tourism. However, limited study has focused on halal healthcare tourism. This paper aimed to examine the challenges and prospects of halal healthcare tourism in Indonesia from nurses’ perspectives. Methods, this qualitative study applied the descriptive approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to 10 nurses from different hospitals in West Java and South Sumatra provinces. The snowball sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Data from the interviews were analyzed using the Comparative Analysis for Interview technique to find the study themes. Results, three themes emerged from the data analysis including the concept of halal healthcare tourisms is applied in health services, barriers in developing halal healthcare tourism, and the leader determines the main focus of services programs in the hospital. In conclusion, these findings provide an understanding of the potency of Indonesian hospitals in the halal healthcare tourism market from nurses’ perspectives, yet several barriers were also identified. A comprehensive assessment is needed to obtain other health professionals’ opinions, and to raise their awareness of the strength of this industry in Indonesia.