Hong Kong Aims to Boost Halal Food Choices to Attract Muslim Tourists

In a bid to become more Muslim-friendly, Hong Kong is actively expanding its halal food options across the city’s vibrant dining scene. This move is part of a broader strategy to attract more tourists from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Muslim-majority regions in mainland China.

“We want to capture the entire Muslim travel market,” said Dane Cheng, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, during a recent visit to Dubai. “We hope they will come to Hong Kong, and then perhaps venture further into mainland China. However, we need to improve our Muslim-friendly offerings, particularly halal restaurants and other facilities, and we are working diligently on this.”

Since late 2023, Hong Kong has been targeting the affluent Middle Eastern market to diversify its economy, which has faced challenges due to the 2019 protests, COVID-19 restrictions, and strained US-China relations. Efforts include forging new partnerships and attracting more investors and travelers from regions where Islam is the dominant religion.

Tourism, a crucial pillar of Hong Kong’s economy, traditionally accounts for about 5% of GDP and 7% of employment. The city has seen a significant rise in visitors from Southeast Asian nations, its second-largest source of tourists after mainland China. In April, for instance, visitor arrivals from Indonesia surged by over 80% year-on-year, driven by the end of Ramadan. This increase followed collaborative efforts by the tourism board with Indonesian influencers, travel agencies, and airlines to promote Hong Kong.

Despite this success, Hong Kong faces stiff competition from neighboring Thailand, which offers more extensive halal dining options. During a May visit to Malaysia, Hong Kong lawmakers received feedback that many Malaysian Muslims, though interested in Hong Kong, often chose Thailand instead due to its superior halal food offerings.

In response, Hong Kong has been taking steps to enhance its halal food scene. A recent policy change allows more visitors from mainland Chinese cities, including Urumqi in the Muslim-majority Xinjiang region, to visit Hong Kong without joining tour groups. This policy aims to boost the number of halal-certified eateries in the city.

Hong Kong is home to a 300,000-strong Muslim community, about 4% of its population. However, there are only slightly more than 100 halal-certified eateries, a mere 0.6% of the nearly 18,000 licensed food establishments in the city. The Hong Kong Tourism Board maintains a list of these businesses on its website. While there are several halal-certified fast food, Indian, or Middle Eastern food chains, only the Islamic Centre Canteen in Wan Chai offers a halal version of the city’s famed dim sum.

Maryam Khan, a local food blogger with nearly 20,000 Instagram followers on her account @foodie_explorerz, which highlights halal finds in Hong Kong, believes there is much room for improvement. “Many Muslim visitors from the Middle East would love to experience something different from their hometown cuisine. The government should prioritize promoting Cantonese cuisine to enhance the city’s appeal.”

Lawmakers echo this sentiment, urging for a more welcoming environment for Muslim visitors. “Muslims have specific dietary and cultural needs,” said lawmaker Kennedy Wong during a Legislative Council session. “Hong Kong’s tourism industry should become more accommodating and understanding of these needs.”

Another lawmaker, Nixie Lam, suggested expediting the introduction of a new government halal certification system, initially planned for 2025. This system aims to make halal certification more suited to Hong Kong’s context, as the current system, managed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, is considered “extremely strict.”

Mr. Mustafa Temir, who operates Hong Kong’s only halal-certified Korean restaurant, Kimchi Korean Fusion in Tsim Sha Tsui, has seen business improve since obtaining halal certification in 2022. “Business is better because we can now cater specifically to Muslim customers without affecting our non-Muslim clientele. To make Hong Kong more welcoming for Muslims, the government should also support halal businesses with rental and staff costs.”

Improving Hong Kong’s appeal to Muslim tourists goes beyond just halal food options. Maryam Khan suggests providing more designated prayer areas and washrooms for ritual washing. “Airports, including Hong Kong’s, provide prayer rooms considering the diverse influx of people. As an international destination, Hong Kong should strive to accommodate the diverse backgrounds of its visitors.”

By expanding its halal food options and enhancing its Muslim-friendly facilities, Hong Kong aims to position itself as a top destination for Muslim travelers, offering a unique blend of cultural experiences and culinary delights.