As this new demand increases in momentum, ‘Halal Tourism’ allows Muslim travel enthusiasts to enjoy the riches and pleasures the world has to offers while remaining in the Islamic codes and conducts. An ample variety of food and traditional local cuisines of the regions of the world are now open to the Muslim tourists because of the growing demand. Halal tourism is beginning to slowly dictate how the managing boards of travel agencies all over the world respond to their Muslim customers with regards to the accommodation, entertainment, dress codes and the spiritual experiences they offer.
The spectrum of the type of Halal holidays has also increased, thanks to the halal certifying and standardizing agencies all over the planet, in even Muslim minority regions, which attest the type and quality of halal food that is served to the guests and whether or not the facility houses and serves alcohol to the visiting tourists.
Cresent Ratings has been a trail blazing Islamic lifestyle standardizing body and accredits hotels and resorts according to the halal services they provide. According to Crescent Ratings Malaysia has topped the list for three consecutive years. Malaysia offers a variety of culinary artistry, being a melting pot of Chinese, Thai, Indian, local Sisak and Arab cultures. The numerous lush green tropical Islands of Malaysia also provide the tourism industry there to develop the islands into private resorts. The Malaysians are known for their impeccable hospitality. Following close to them are the Halal tourism industries of the UAE, Turkey and Indonesia, all competing aggressively to attract more and more Muslim customers wanting to spend time with their family in relative luxury. Morocco and Jordan are also upping the ante by refurbishing their hotel industries, and advertising and promoting the desert beauty of their countries.
While countries with predominantly Muslim populations, naturally, always had the infrastructure and social concept and acceptability of Islamic culture and moral requirement, non-Islamic countries like Spain and Russia are also hastening in the race to attract more and more Muslims who like to spend their vacations in more exotic ways. Spin has along Muslim history, and even though the current Muslim population of Spain is not more than 2% of its population the Spanish government cherishes the relics and art left me the Moors who ruled over Spain for 950 years. The Alhambra Palace and the Cordoba Mosque still attract many tourists, Muslim and non-Muslim alike to appreciate the spectacles of Islamic art and architecture. Russia has also begun to realize that most Central Asian businessmen who still have links and economic ties with Russia, after the collapse of the Soviet Union demand Islamic environments in their stays. Many hotels in Moscow have begun to leave a praying mat, a rosary, a copy of the Quran and an arrow indicating the direction of the Ka’abah in the rooms reserved for Muslim guests.
Business Analysts declare that relative to the global Muslim population is 1.6 billion, the Muslim Halal Tourism Market is as yet untapped. Much more is said to move and enjoy vacations elsewhere as the level of education and the purchasing power increases of the growing Muslim countries of the world. Currently, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia and Morocco are amongst the biggest players in the Halal holiday market which is collectively worth $140 billion and is estimated to be about $200 billion by the year 2020. The biggest driving factor of the growth in business is the second generation of the Muslim immigrants in European and North American countries. The first generation of Muslim immigrants to these Western countries considered going back to their countries of origin as a vacation, however, the Second generation of these Muslim immigrants do not relate to their parents’ originating country that way. They tend to visit countries that could give them a better experience and could broaden their travelling experience and cultural pallet. By accommodating for the Muslim traveller eager to experience something new but without leaving the restrictions imposed by Islam, the businesses all over the world make loyal customers and attar the Muslim tourism market. It is estimated that by 2025 half of all global tourism would be Halal for Muslim tourists.