(Photo: Travel and Tour World)

Innovative Ideas for a Muslim-Focused Tourism Experience

Hong Kong is striving to position itself as a key destination for halal tourism, with industry experts and diplomats suggesting the city create bespoke cultural experiences to attract Muslim travelers. Rather than merely adapting existing services, there are calls to develop unique offerings tailored to visitors from the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Turkish Consul General Kerim Sercan Evcin proposed the idea of a “Hong Kong Ramadan Bazaar”, showcasing local specialties alongside international products. Drawing parallels to the city’s signature dishes, such as Hong Kong curry, Evcin pointed out that cultural adaptations could make the city stand out as a distinctive destination for Muslim visitors.

Similarly, Alexander Wasserman, head of hotels and serviced apartments at the Miramar Group, emphasized the need for Islamic-themed events during Ramadan. He suggested creating festive celebrations for the holy month, akin to Hong Kong’s popular Christmas and Lunar New Year events.

Halal Certification and Enhanced Services

Hong Kong’s hotels and restaurants are stepping up their game to meet the needs of halal-conscious travelers. The Mira Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui recently earned a CrescentRating score of five (out of seven), reflecting its efforts to cater to Muslim guests. The hotel boasts a halal-certified kitchen with dedicated equipment, a halal-friendly restaurant, prayer facilities, and trained staff to meet the cultural and dietary needs of Muslim visitors.

The ratings, conducted by Singapore-based CrescentRating on behalf of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, evaluate Muslim-friendliness across the city’s hotels and attractions. While six hotels, including The Mira, Grand Hyatt, and Kowloon Shangri-La, achieved the top score of five, higher scores of six and seven are reserved for establishments exclusively catering to halal-conscious travelers.

Growing Demand from Key Muslim Markets

Tourism statistics reveal a steady increase in visitors from predominantly Muslim regions. In 2024, Hong Kong welcomed:

• 405,508 visitors from Malaysia,
• 366,973 from Indonesia, and
• 16,498 from Gulf Cooperation Council nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

These figures reflect a significant growth from 2023, with more travelers seeking destinations that align with their cultural and religious practices. To appeal to these visitors, Hong Kong is focusing on expanding halal dining options, prayer facilities, and culturally sensitive services.

Government and Industry Efforts

(Photo: South China Morning Post)

The Hong Kong government has made halal tourism a priority, incorporating it into a broader strategy to strengthen ties with the Middle East. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu highlighted the potential of the Middle Eastern market in his recent policy address, while Finance Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po pledged to ramp up efforts to attract “high-end visitors” from the region.

Tourism Commissioner Angelina Cheung Fung Wing-ping emphasized the importance of educating local businesses about the economic opportunities presented by halal tourism. She noted that an increasing number of Chinese restaurants are seeking halal certification, with the figure rising from 100 establishments in mid-2023 to 162 by early 2024.

Future Plans and Initiatives

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has taken proactive steps to promote the city as a Muslim-friendly destination:

• Hosting more than 20 Muslim travel industry partners from Southeast Asia to showcase attractions and services.
• Developing training materials for frontline staff to understand Muslim cultural preferences.
• Collaborating with Middle Eastern media outlets to highlight Hong Kong’s unique offerings.

Additionally, plans are underway to create more halal-certified restaurants, improve prayer facilities, and introduce events tailored specifically to Muslim travelers.

Aiming for a Diverse Future

By investing in Muslim-focused tourism, Hong Kong is not only catering to a growing market but also fostering cultural inclusivity. Unique ideas like a Ramadan bazaar and Islamic-themed events, combined with enhanced halal certifications and facilities, could position the city as a leading destination for Muslim travelers. This push reflects Hong Kong’s ambition to strengthen its global appeal while embracing cultural diversity.

Original Article:

South China Morning Post. (2025, April 2). Hong Kong halal bazaar, new attractions among ideas to lure more Muslim visitors. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3301615/hong-kong-halal-bazaar-new-attractions-among-ideas-lure-more-muslim-visitors