Hong Kong Muslims Push for Government-Funded Halal Restaurant Accreditation

Hong Kong’s Muslim community is advocating for government support in enhancing halal certification for restaurants and developing more Muslim-friendly facilities. As the city recovers from the pandemic and aims to strengthen its tourism industry, leaders within the Muslim community see an opportunity to make Hong Kong a welcoming destination for Muslim travelers by improving amenities and cultural experiences. The demand for halal-certified eateries, prayer facilities, and events celebrating Islamic culture is growing, making it vital for the city’s tourism industry to meet these needs effectively.

Hong Kong Muslims and the Push for Tourism Growth

Hong Kong, known for its rich culinary heritage and diverse food scene, has a growing need to cater to Muslim travelers who adhere to halal dietary rules. Members of the Muslim community have called on the government to provide financial support to an accreditation body responsible for certifying halal restaurants in the city. This would make halal dining options more visible to both residents and international tourists, ensuring compliance with Islamic dietary laws.

This push aligns with Hong Kong’s broader tourism strategy to attract visitors from Muslim-majority regions like the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond. According to the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), the Muslim travel market is set to grow substantially in the coming years, reaching $225 billion by 2028. With more than 160 million Muslim tourists expected to travel by then, catering to this demographic is economically beneficial for Hong Kong’s hospitality industry. However, the success of this initiative largely depends on ensuring that halal-certified options are not only available but also easy to find, safe, and appealing.

To achieve this, financial support from the government can help streamline the certification process, making it simpler and more cost-effective for restaurants and hotels to become halal-compliant. The availability of halal-certified eateries is often a key consideration for Muslim travelers when choosing travel destinations, making it crucial for Hong Kong to address this need to remain competitive in the global tourism market.

Enhancing Muslim-Friendly Experiences

The call for supporting halal certification is just one aspect of a broader effort to create an inclusive environment for Muslim visitors and residents in Hong Kong. Community leaders and lawmakers have advocated for several policies to enhance the Muslim experience in the city, which include:

• Hosting Ramadan Food Fairs and Cultural Festivals: To celebrate Muslim culture and build community awareness, the proposal includes organizing events like Ramadan food fairs and festivals. These events would not only highlight the rich traditions and cuisines associated with Ramadan but also provide an opportunity to showcase Islamic art, music, and traditions to a broader audience in Hong Kong. Such festivals can help bridge cultural gaps, promote understanding, and enhance the city’s multicultural appeal. By providing a platform for local and international Muslim chefs, vendors, and artists, these festivals can create an enriching experience for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
• Expanding Prayer Facilities Across the City: In addition to halal-certified dining, Muslim travelers require spaces for daily prayers, which occur five times a day according to Islamic teachings. To cater to this need, the proposal includes creating more prayer rooms in strategic locations such as shopping malls, airports, train stations, and major tourist attractions. Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, a lawmaker from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), emphasized the importance of prayer rooms, stating that providing these spaces can significantly enhance the travel experience for Muslims and make Hong Kong more welcoming to them. For a city aiming to be a Muslim-friendly travel hub, these prayer facilities are essential to meet the religious needs of Muslim visitors.

Making Hong Kong Welcoming for Muslim Travelers

“The Muslim tourism market is vast, and we aim to attract more of these visitors to our city,” said Vincent Cheng. “However, we only have one chance to leave a good impression, and it’s vital that they feel welcome and comfortable during their stay in Hong Kong.”

Cheng’s statement underscores Hong Kong’s potential as a desirable travel destination for Muslim tourists but also highlights the need to make more concerted efforts to appeal to this demographic’s unique requirements. While Hong Kong already offers some Muslim-friendly facilities, including several mosques and halal-certified restaurants, it is clear that there is room for improvement. With Muslim travelers actively seeking destinations that respect their dietary and religious needs, Hong Kong must take proactive steps to meet these expectations.

Hong Kong Muslim Community’s Growing Influence

Hong Kong is home to an estimated 300,000 Muslims, comprising about 4% of the city’s population, according to the Islamic Union of Hong Kong. This diverse community includes local Chinese Muslims, South Asian communities, and expatriates who all contribute to Hong Kong’s multicultural fabric. The presence of such a vibrant Muslim community has naturally led to a growing demand for halal products, prayer facilities, and culturally relevant events and services.

As the Muslim community’s influence expands, it is prompting a greater focus on policies and measures to better serve the needs of both local Muslims and Muslim tourists. Currently, there are around 70 restaurants and eateries in Hong Kong that have received halal certification, according to the Halal Certification Committee of the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong. However, given the size of the city’s food industry, there is significant potential for growth in halal options, especially with more government support to facilitate the certification process.

Economic Benefits of Embracing Halal Tourism

Catering to halal tourism offers significant economic benefits. Globally, the halal food market alone is projected to reach a value of over $2.3 trillion by 2026, according to a report by Research and Markets. By ensuring that dining and hospitality options align with halal guidelines, Hong Kong can tap into this lucrative market segment. Moreover, halal tourism is not just about food; it encompasses a range of needs from accommodations to shopping, entertainment, and transportation—all requiring adherence to Islamic principles.

Halal tourism also overlaps with sustainable and ethical tourism, which emphasizes values like cleanliness, respect for local cultures, and responsible consumption. These principles are increasingly gaining attention among travelers of all backgrounds. By positioning itself as a city that respects these values, Hong Kong can appeal not only to Muslim tourists but also to a broader group of travelers who seek ethically aligned and culturally rich travel experiences.

Creating a More Welcoming Hong Kong

The efforts to enhance Muslim-friendly facilities and cultural experiences are not just about attracting tourists; they reflect a broader goal of fostering a truly inclusive environment that respects the needs and values of all communities in Hong Kong. Providing halal-certified dining options, organizing cultural festivals, and expanding prayer facilities demonstrate a commitment to diversity and multiculturalism that can strengthen Hong Kong’s reputation as a global city.

For Hong Kong to effectively compete with other destinations like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, which have already invested significantly in promoting halal tourism, it must prioritize inclusivity and support for Muslim-friendly initiatives. Such efforts will ensure that Muslim travelers, who make up a growing portion of global tourism, see Hong Kong as a destination where they are respected, valued, and welcomed.

What Can Be Done?

To make Hong Kong a truly Muslim-friendly city, collaboration between the government, local businesses, and the Muslim community is key. The proposed support for halal accreditation and the creation of more Muslim-friendly spaces can serve as a foundation for further developments, such as:

1. Increased Education and Awareness: Local businesses and hospitality providers need education on the requirements of halal certification and Muslim travelers’ needs. Training programs can help restaurants, hotels, and tour operators understand how to make their services more inclusive, from food preparation to the provision of prayer spaces.
2. Targeted Marketing Campaigns: To effectively attract Muslim tourists, Hong Kong’s tourism board can launch targeted marketing campaigns in Muslim-majority countries. Highlighting the availability of halal-certified restaurants, prayer facilities, and cultural events can help position Hong Kong as a welcoming destination for Muslim travelers.
3. Community Engagement and Partnerships: Engaging with the local Muslim community is crucial for understanding and meeting the needs of Muslim visitors. Partnerships between the government, community organizations, and businesses can help create a cohesive and authentic Muslim-friendly travel experience in Hong Kong.

By supporting these initiatives, Hong Kong can enhance its status as a global city that embraces diversity, attracts visitors from around the world, and fosters a welcoming environment for its growing Muslim community.