KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: A proposal to list the Seven Wonders of the Islamic World will be discussed at the Global Islamic Tourism Exhibition and Conference (GITC), which kicks off in Putrajaya tomorrow.

The Seven Wonders, which will draw nominations from all over the world, will include buildings and tourist sites, and new and established destinations.

Also to be considered is the setting up of a World Islamic Tourism Secretariat which would be based in Malaysia.

The secretariat's sole purpose would be to promote world tourism, focusing on coordinating tourism activities with the private sector and non-governmental organisations.

It will work closely with the World Islamic Economic Forum, chaired by Malaysia.

The three-day conference at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre is organised under the auspices of the National Tourism Council of Malaysia (NTCM).

"Muslims travel extensively throughout the world and have helped enrich world tourism tremendously," said GITC organising chairman and NTCM board member Datuk Ahmad Talib in a statement yesterday.

"It is because of this the secretariat intends to set new benchmarks in hospitality products and services in the Islamic world.

"It also aims to encourage the same in non-Islamic countries," he said.

On Thursday, Tourism Minister Datuk Azalina Othman will host a private luncheon with industry captains, NGOs and international representatives.