Malaysia’s road trip entrepreneurs transform halal tourism
NZ Malaya Limited, started by two students, now a leader in Muslim-friendly travel across multiple countries
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) – What started as a simple passion for organizing road trips has turned into a booming halal tourism business in New Zealand.
Malaysian entrepreneurs Muhammad Afiq Mohmad Nazari and Mohammad Habibullah Md Ali founded NZ Malaya Limited in 2015 to help fellow Muslim travelers find halal food, prayer facilities, and suitable accommodations.
According to The Star, their venture, initially catering to students, has since evolved into a major player in the halal travel industry.
Headquartered in Queenstown with a branch in Auckland, NZ Malaya Limited offers Muslim-friendly tour experiences, expanding its reach beyond New Zealand to destinations including Japan, South Korea, Turkiye, China, Egypt, and Jordan.
Muhammad Afiq, 30, and Mohammad Habibullah, 32, officially registered the company in 2017 after increasing demand for their services. In 2018, they launched NZ Malaya Travel Sdn Bhd in Malaysia to support operations in their home country.
The company has received strong support from the New Zealand Malaysia Business Association (NZMBA), which connects them with industry leaders and government agencies.
NZMBA President Dave Ananth praised NZ Malaya’s focus on youth empowerment, offering opportunities in tour guiding, digital marketing, and business development.
“NZ Malaya ensures high halal standards across its travel experiences, food, and accommodations, benefiting both Muslim and non-Muslim travelers,”
Ananth said in a statement Friday. The company follows ISO 22000 guidelines for food safety and quality, reinforcing its commitment to global halal standards.
Expanding beyond travel, NZ Malaya has also ventured into the food industry.
It launched Komunal Cafe in Malaysia, offering halal-certified Malaysian and Western cuisine, and later opened Queenstown’s first Malaysian-owned halal café.
The company now aims to expand its café business to Australia, Japan, and other international markets.
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