What is a Halal Tour?
We’re happy to announce a monthly column, from brother Karim the founder and owner of HalalTrip.com We’ve enjoyed our continued education of halal travel industry by brother Karim’s resources, and love to support his continued growth of the HalalTrip brand. Brother Karim has big plans for the upcoming year, and agreeing to share the basic fundamental answers to our halal travel questions. So, please keep the dialogue opened by posting your questions, concerns, and insights into this fascinating industry’s growth in the comments section below!
Hotels around the world are more and more stepping in for the race of reaching the Muslim tourist. Based on a study published by MiddleEast.com, about 88 percent of Arab travelers would likely stay in an Islamic hotel when going abroad. This growing demand in Shariah-compliant holiday services can be seen from the US and Western Europe to the Middle and Far East. But, what is it all about and what does it mean to take a ‘Halal Tour’?
Firstly, it is all about serving certified Halal Food and the entire abstinence of alcohol in any form. Furthermore hotel premises can be observed as fully-Halal when prayer rooms are available and wellness facilities like swimming pools are ruling out mixed-gender interaction in general or at certain time slots. Most successful Halal hotels in Turkey are offering women-only leisure facilities. However, the main swimming pool can be often used by men and women with appropriate outfit. Finally when observing the hotel room it is strictly prohibited to provide Adult TV services or a mini bar including alcohol. Most of the fully-Halal hotels are offering instead prayer rugs, Qibla direction signs, Muslim media and a Qur’an on the room. 
Cutting-edge Islamic hotels are even attempting to comply with Shariah on all levels. Thus they are spending a certain percentage of their profits for charity to fulfill the Islamic obligation of Zakah, a mandatory yearly proportion of wealth. Other premises attach high importance to strict gender segregation within the hotel and hence offering women-only floors. Though it is not predictable whether a large majority of Muslim tourists would accept such segregation as they are traveling as family. Ponn: Interesting concept..with a family of 3 girls and only hubby as our sole male; I predict the huge inconvenience to my whole family especially because I do all the packing. 
However, the choice of appropriate accommodations can be enlarged by expanding the definition of Halal tourism to being Muslim-friendly. Several hotel chains around the world are already offering parts of the above mentioned criteria. The London based luxury five-star Lord Milner hotel does not serve alcohol due to family-policy. During Ramadan most of the luxury premises in countries like Austria, Great Britain and Switzerland provide praying facilities or special predawn and after sunset meals.
Still, Halal tourism is a widely-untapped market but expecting a dramatically growth within the upcoming years. Pioneering countries like Turkey, the United Arab of Emirates, and Malaysia are already benefiting and increasing their investments on this (niche) tourism product. Due to the growing wealth of Muslim population in Western Europe, the US and Middle East the upcoming years will be crucial for a widely acceptance of Halal tourism.
This is a great introductory article to this Halal Trip column, wouldn’t you agree? It poses many great conveniences for us as Muslim travelers…but, as I noted, some interesting concerns to keep in mind. We’re curious of your thoughts and welcome the discussion in the comments below.
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Category: Family
Masha’Allah! I look forward to reading your posts, Bro. Karim, and will be sure to visit the website. The idea of Islamic tourism is exciting – I’m happy to know that more of an effort is going toward targeting Muslim consumers. We spend money too and the market is growing by leaps and bounds!
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Ponn Sabra Reply:
October 5th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Yes, mashaAllah, the addition of brother Karim and this monthly column for this exciting industry is a huge honor! I learned so much form his first piece, and look forward to the upcoming months as we’ve picked some really great topics to really delve into! Please share any questions or thoughts you have to add, dear sister Kimberly!
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Salam alykum,
many thanks for your kind words! I am looking forward to contribute as much as I can to this great blog. Please let me know your feedback or any topic suggestion!
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Ponn Sabra Reply:
October 8th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Wa-alaykum asalam. There’s a great question about halal B&B or HomeExchange. Very curious what you think, inshaAllah http://www.facebook.com/AmericanMuslimMom#!/AmericanMuslimMom/posts/269573556409818
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