Hong Kong Eyes Share of $300 Billion Halal Tourism Market

The global halal tourism market is experiencing rapid growth, and Hong Kong’s Special Administrative Region (SAR) is making strategic moves to become a top destination for Muslim travelers. With a focus on expanding halal-certified dining options, enhancing prayer facilities, and providing tailored Islamic travel experiences, Hong Kong is well-positioned to attract Muslim tourists seeking seamless, faith-compliant travel.

As halal tourism spending is projected to reach a staggering US$300 billion (HK$2.3 trillion) by 2026, Hong Kong’s proactive measures aim to tap into this lucrative market, making the SAR Islamic Tourism sector a priority for both the city’s tourism industry and Muslim travelers worldwide. By catering to the needs of this growing demographic, Hong Kong aspires to become a leading destination for Muslim-friendly travel, offering convenience, quality, and culturally appropriate amenities.

SAR Islamic Tourism: Expanding Halal Dining Options

A primary focus in boosting SAR Islamic Tourism is increasing the availability of halal-certified restaurants throughout Hong Kong. A growing Muslim population worldwide has led to a significant uptick in halal tourism, with Muslim travelers looking for dining options that align with their dietary beliefs. To meet this demand, Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, a lawmaker from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), proposes that the Hong Kong government allocate subsidies to support halal certification for restaurants.

Currently, only 144 eateries in Hong Kong are halal-certified, with around 60 more awaiting approval. While the city has a diverse food scene, this number falls short of meeting the growing needs of Muslim travelers. Cheng emphasizes the importance of increasing this figure by at least double to position Hong Kong as a truly Muslim-friendly destination.

To make the halal certification process more affordable, the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong oversee the issuance of halal certificates, charging fees that range from HK$2,500 to HK$6,000 depending on the size and staff count of the restaurant. The certification process, which takes around six weeks, ensures that the restaurant meets Islamic dietary laws. These laws prohibit the use of pork and its by-products, such as lard, and alcohol, while ensuring that animals are slaughtered in a specific manner known as Bhabha.

By subsidizing the costs of halal certification, the government can encourage more restaurants to undergo the process, providing travelers with a wider range of halal dining options, from street food vendors to upscale eateries.

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Addressing the Challenges of Halal Cuisine

One of the challenges faced by halal restaurants in Hong Kong is sourcing premium halal ingredients, particularly when it comes to high-end meats like wagyu beef and other specialty products. Mohamed Fathy Amin Hegazy, a manager of several halal restaurants in Hong Kong, points out that the lack of access to high-quality halal ingredients is a significant barrier to offering a diverse menu that meets both the dietary and culinary standards of Muslim travelers.

To support the SAR Islamic Tourism market, there is a need to create more supply chains for halal ingredients. Importers and distributors should work closely with local restaurants to bring in quality halal meats, dairy, and other essential products, allowing chefs to craft a more authentic and diverse halal dining experience. Establishing partnerships with suppliers in countries with strong halal certification processes, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, could help ensure a consistent flow of premium halal ingredients to Hong Kong.

Furthermore, promoting halal street food markets or dedicated halal food fairs could add to the city’s appeal to Muslim tourists, showcasing a variety of local and international halal cuisines. By providing more diverse and high-quality halal offerings, Hong Kong can better meet the expectations of Muslim travelers seeking both authenticity and quality in their dining experiences.

Building More Muslim-Friendly Amenities

For many Muslim travelers, finding a suitable place to pray is crucial. Hong Kong currently faces challenges in providing adequate prayer facilities across its main tourist areas. At the Hong Kong International Airport, the city’s main gateway for global travelers, the only prayer room available is shared among all religions and lacks the required amenities like prayer mats. This has been highlighted as a concern by Qamar Minhas, the honorary treasurer of the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong. Comparisons with neighboring countries such as Thailand, Japan, and Singapore—where well-equipped prayer rooms are available in each terminal—underscore the need for improvement in Hong Kong.

To address this, a focused effort to create more dedicated prayer rooms in strategic locations like airports, malls, theme parks, and public spaces can significantly improve the Muslim travel experience. These prayer rooms should include carpets, wash areas for ablution (wudu), and clear signage in multiple languages, providing Muslim tourists with a convenient and accessible space to fulfill their religious obligations.

In addition to prayer facilities, developing Muslim-friendly accommodations that offer halal food options, prayer mats, and Qibla directions can enhance Hong Kong’s appeal to Islamic travelers. Hotels could be encouraged to earn halal certification for their kitchens, ensuring that they cater to the dietary needs of Muslim guests. Offering “family-friendly” entertainment options that align with Islamic values is another step towards creating a welcoming environment for these travelers.

Customized Islamic Travel Itineraries

Creating customized travel itineraries specifically designed for Muslim tourists is another key strategy to bolster SAR Islamic Tourism. Vincent Cheng recommends the development of user-friendly mobile applications and e-guides that offer information on halal restaurants, mosques, prayer rooms, and entertainment venues. By providing easy access to this information, travelers can plan their trips with greater confidence and convenience.

Technology can play a vital role in enhancing the Muslim travel experience. The rise of travel-focused apps and online guides can allow tourists to find halal-certified eateries, check prayer times, and locate nearby mosques or Islamic cultural centers, all at the touch of a button. This tailored digital support can greatly improve the convenience and enjoyment of Muslim travelers’ experiences in Hong Kong.

Additionally, offering guided Islamic heritage tours that explore Hong Kong’s mosques, cultural sites, and markets can add depth to the travel experience. These tours not only provide educational value but also connect Muslim tourists with the local Islamic community, making them feel more at home.

Hong Kong’s as a Muslim-Friendly Destination

Efforts to enhance SAR Islamic Tourism are already paying off. According to CrescentRating, a leading research organization on halal travel, Hong Kong has seen a rise in its attractiveness as a Muslim-friendly destination, moving from fifth to fourth place in the 2024 Non-Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) travel destination ranking. This improved ranking highlights Hong Kong’s growing appeal among Muslim travelers, who prioritize destinations that offer adequate halal facilities, prayer spaces, and family-friendly environments.

Dewan Saiful Alam, a member of the DAB’s ethnic minorities committee, notes that such positive recognition is crucial for influencing Muslim travelers’ choices. A city’s reputation for being welcoming and accommodating to Islamic needs can be a deciding factor for travelers seeking comfort and convenience while maintaining their religious practices.

The Economic Potential of the Global Halal Tourism Market

The global halal tourism market is projected to reach an estimated US$300 billion by 2026, offering substantial economic potential for destinations like Hong Kong. By focusing on SAR Islamic Tourism, Hong Kong can capture a significant share of this growing market. Muslim travelers often travel in family groups, have longer stays, and demonstrate high spending potential, making them a valuable demographic for tourism growth.

Enhancing halal dining options, improving prayer facilities, developing digital resources, and offering Muslim-friendly accommodations and activities will make Hong Kong more attractive to this market. Not only does this position the city as a top Islamic-friendly destination, but it also aligns with the global trend toward inclusive and ethical tourism practices.

The Future of SAR Islamic Tourism

Hong Kong’s proactive steps to improve SAR Islamic Tourism will significantly impact its appeal as a destination for Muslim travelers. With coordinated efforts between the government, tourism bodies, local businesses, and the Islamic community, Hong Kong can establish itself as a premier travel hub for Muslims seeking a seamless, faith-based travel experience. By expanding halal-certified dining, creating proper prayer spaces, and offering tailored digital travel solutions, the city can meet the needs of Muslim tourists and contribute to the broader global halal tourism industry.