Islamic Travel Connect Exhibition in Surabaya Sees High Public Enthusiasm for Hajj and Umrah Travel Packages

Surabaya—The enthusiasm of East Java residents to embark on spiritual journeys to the Holy Land remains remarkably high, serving as a testament to the enduring demand for religious tourism in Indonesia. This strong public interest was prominently displayed during the Islamic Travel Connect exhibition, a premier travel fair jointly organized by CNN Indonesia and CIMB Niaga Syariah. Held at the Main Atrium on the Ground Floor of Royal Plaza, Surabaya, the multi-day event drew crowds of prospective pilgrims eager to secure reliable travel arrangements for their upcoming pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina.

The exhibition, which ran from Thursday, September 24, through Sunday, September 27, transformed the shopping center into a bustling hub for Islamic travel planning. Featuring a comprehensive lineup of reputable travel agencies, financial institutions, and interactive public programs, the event successfully bridged the gap between prospective pilgrims and trusted service providers. As global travel continues to rebound fully in the post-pandemic era, events like Islamic Travel Connect play a critical role in providing safe, transparent, and financially accessible pathways for Muslims wishing to fulfill their religious obligations.

Surging Demand and Early Registrations Highlighted by Travel Providers

Among the standout participants at the exhibition was Mahyaa Tour & Travel, a prominent Surabaya-based agency that experienced an overwhelming influx of visitors throughout the event. According to Aisyah Mahirah Sulthanadia, a Customer Service representative for Mahyaa Tour & Travel, the engagement from the local community exceeded initial expectations. Visitors did not limit their participation to gathering brochures or asking preliminary questions; a significant number committed to the registration process on the spot.

What surprised organizers was the forward-looking mindset of the prospective pilgrims. Aisyah noted that numerous visitors finalized their bookings not just for the upcoming travel seasons, but for long-term waiting lists stretching several years into the future.

"Praise be to God, the enthusiasm has been extraordinary. Every day, we consistently see pilgrims who do not just ask questions, but immediately proceed with registration. In fact, just last night, a pilgrim officially registered for the waiting list for the year 2028. It reached that extent," Aisyah remarked during an interview at the exhibition booth.

To capitalize on this high level of interest and alleviate the financial barriers often associated with pilgrimage planning, Mahyaa Tour & Travel introduced a series of aggressive promotional strategies exclusively for attendees of the Islamic Travel Connect exhibition. These included substantial price reductions and flexible down payment options designed to encourage immediate commitments.

"For our promotions here at Mahyaa, we offer discounts of up to 3 million Indonesian rupiahs. Furthermore, we provide a lightened down payment option starting at just 500,000 rupiahs to make it easier for pilgrims at the time of registration," she explained.

In addition to direct financial incentives, the agency implemented an engaging interactive element at their booth. Registrants were given the opportunity to participate in a "fishbowl" lucky draw, where they could win an array of prizes ranging from high-end tumblers and premium fragrances to cash rewards. Furthermore, everyone who completed their registration during the exhibition received a complimentary prayer rug (sajadah) as a welcoming souvenir.

Tailored Travel Options and Economic Resilience

Addressing the diverse preferences of modern travelers, Mahyaa Tour & Travel showcased flexible routing programs. Pilgrims were given the autonomy to choose between direct flight itineraries and transit options, depending on their comfort preferences, physical stamina, and scheduling constraints.

Aisyah elaborated on the operational differences between the two flight schemes, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to personalized service. "Mahyaa offers several program choices. If travelers prefer a direct flight, it is available; if they prefer a transit route, that is also an option. For direct flights, we utilize smaller charter aircraft. However, if there is a transit stop, we use larger aircraft equipped with onboard entertainment systems."

"It simply adjusts to what the pilgrims want—the month they wish to depart, the duration of their stay, and their preferred flight arrangements. We have multiple package options available to accommodate the specific desires of each group of pilgrims," she added.

Amid broader conversations concerning global economic volatility and currency fluctuations, the agency assured prospective clients that macroeconomic pressures have not disrupted their operations. Despite shifts in foreign exchange rates affecting international travel costs globally, Mahyaa Tour & Travel has successfully absorbed these cost variations, ensuring that package prices remain stable for consumers without dampening public enthusiasm.

Overcoming Industry Challenges and Building Consumer Trust

While the overall market sentiment remains bullish, the travel industry continues to navigate reputational challenges stemming from isolated incidents of fraud and mismanagement by rogue travel agencies. High-profile cases of failed pilgrimage departures in recent years have heightened public skepticism, compelling legitimate operators to work harder to earn and maintain consumer confidence.

Aisyah acknowledged that addressing the psychological barriers created by these negative industry sentiments requires proactive transparency and verifiable proof of operational legitimacy. Rather than relying solely on verbal assurances, Mahyaa Tour & Travel relies on tangible evidence of their ongoing operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

"To reassure clients dealing with such concerns, we demonstrate our active departures currently taking place in Saudi Arabia. Praise be to God, at Mahyaa, we have guaranteed departures every single month. The schedules are consistent, meaning there is always a group or delegation currently in Saudi Arabia, and we actively display that evidence to our clients," Aisyah stated.

Expressing her appreciation for the collaboration between CNN Indonesia and CIMB Niaga Syariah, Aisyah emphasized the strategic value of the exhibition in expanding the agency’s market reach. Through the extensive media coverage provided by CNN Indonesia, local enterprises are afforded a platform to showcase their credibility to a broader audience.

"Our hope with the involvement of CNN Indonesia and CIMB Niaga Syariah is that our market reach will become much wider, and our promotions can scale up significantly. The media exposure from CNN Indonesia is substantial. Therefore, our primary hope is that Mahyaa becomes even better known to the public," she concluded.

Comprehensive Event Agenda and Financial Support Systems

The Islamic Travel Connect exhibition, running from Thursday, September 24, to Sunday, September 27, at Royal Plaza Surabaya, was meticulously designed to serve as a comprehensive one-stop destination for community members planning their religious journeys. Beyond the exhibition booths hosted by premier travel agencies, the event offered a robust schedule of financial incentives, educational seminars, and entertainment.

Strategic partner CIMB Niaga Syariah played a pivotal role in facilitating financial planning for attendees. The Islamic banking institution rolled out an array of exclusive promotions, including a 3 million rupiah discount for special Hajj quota registrations, a 2 million rupiah reduction on Umrah financing packages, and deductions of up to 4 million rupiahs for transactions executed using CIMB Niaga Syariah cards.

The four-day event successfully balanced practical logistical planning with spiritual enrichment. From morning until evening, the venue hosted daily Islamic study sessions featuring prominent clerics and scholars, including Ustaz Misbahul Huda, Ustaz Heru Kusumahadi, Ustaz Moch Marzuki Imran, and Ustaz Fathurrahman Masrukan. These sessions provided attendees with spiritual preparation alongside physical and financial readiness.

Furthermore, the exhibition agenda featured interactive talk shows hosted by leading travel operators such as Shafira, Persada Indonesia, Ziarah Hati, and Arminareka. Representatives from CIMB Niaga Syariah also conducted specialized discussion sessions, complemented by live recordings of the Panglima Ekspres podcast, offering listeners deep dives into the operational realities of modern religious travel.

To maintain a vibrant atmosphere for families and visitors browsing through Islamic fashion, culinary stalls, and travel packages, the main stage featured a variety of cultural and artistic performances. Highlights included vocal performances by the Alazka Choir and students from SD Al Azhar Kelapa Gading Surabaya, professional latte art demonstrations, and musical entertainment provided by the Gendis Band.

Through its combination of accessible financial solutions, verified travel providers, and engaging public programs, the Islamic Travel Connect exhibition in Surabaya has established a benchmark for how industry stakeholders can collectively foster a secure, transparent, and spiritually fulfilling environment for Indonesian pilgrims.