Holiday is a time for family and adventure. Also, many health professionals recommend taking a vacation to re-energize the body and mind. But you worry about your faith and how you can travel while always adhering to the principles of Islamic Law.

In today’s world, there is no need to fear that travel during a Holiday will result in a departure from the guidelines of Halal. Halal Tourism is strong and growing every year.

What is Halal Tourism?

Wikipedia states, “ Halal tourism is a subcategory of tourism which is geared towards Muslim families who abide by rules of Islam.”

Sounds pretty straightforward, right? There are, however, challenges to developing tourist destinations that directly target the Muslim demographic. To begin with, Halal put simply, is Arabic for ‘permissible’ and usually pertains to foods prepared under the strict rules of Islamic Law (Sharia). But when used in accordance with ‘tourism’ it denotes any destination or activity that is permissible to Muslims.

Halal friendly tourism is indeed ‘a thing’ as Muslim tourism increases annually. To cater to this growing segment of the tourism industry, travel agencies, hotels, airports, restaurants, and other destinations are seeing the financial benefits of providing for the strictest observers of Islamic Law.

Some hotels are completely smoke and alcohol-free, while others provide alcohol-free sections. Many hotel kitchens are becoming Halal food certified. The consumption of properly prepared food is vital to practicing Muslims. Pork is forbidden meat. Certifications must take that into account. Many restaurants in these tourist resort areas are serving completely Halal compliant foods.

Other hotels and resorts provide separate areas for men and women including prayer rooms, pools, and even beach access.

But you might think, “Why should a devout Muslim even consider traveling on Holiday?” There are numerous reasons to travel and see the world. Besides those great reasons, The Quran states plainly:

“Travel through the earth and see how Allah did originate creation; so, will Allah produce a later creation: for Allah has power over all things. ( Surah Al-‘Ankabut, 20 )

Halal tourism not only benefits the devout Muslim but can also allow non-Muslims to learn and experience a different culture from their own.

The Growth In Halal Tourism

In 2012 alone, Muslim travelers spent $137 billion and that number should rise to $180 billion by the year 2020. Another source estimates the total spending to be around $200 billion by 2020. Is there any question why shareholders are seeing the value in Muslim tourism? With such a growing Islamic worldwide population, it would seem apparent the need to cater to this tourist demographic.

Another factor that the tourism industry needs to take into account is the growth of the Muslim population around the world. Islam is now the fastest-growing religion in the world. Islam will make up 30 percent of the world’s population by 2050 and could surpass Christianity by the year 2070.

With these phenomenal numbers, it stands to reason why the tourism industry is taking notice. Not all Muslims are inclined to strictly follow Islamic law. But for those, there are many more that see their faith as not only their religion but a way of life as well. To ensure their destination suits their Islamic beliefs, planning is necessary.

Get Out There and See The World

The tourism industry is recognizing the value in catering to the Muslim traveler as well as the Muslim family on Holiday. So, there is no need to feel that in order to truly live your faith you must stay put in the comfort of your home and home country. There is so much to see, learn, and experience in this incredible world.

There are many travel agencies that can help plan your next business trip or your next family adventure. They specialize in planning Holiday packages that will not infringe upon your Halal values. They understand your faith and how important it is to you.

So, there is nothing to you hold back now. Get out there and see the world.

References

Girron, J. (2016, April 29). Halal Tourism: Catering to a fast growing traveller segment. Retrieved from  http://www.amadeus.com/blog/29/04/halal-tourism/

Halal Tourism. (n.d.). Retrieved from  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halal_tourism

Quran Index. (n.d.). Retrieved from  http://www.quranindex.net/kelime.php?id=8809

Travel Agents. (n.d.). Retrieved from  https://www.crescentrating.com/tourpackage/agentlisting.html

Travelers, M. (n.d.). 10 More Reasons Why Muslims Should Travel. Retrieved from  http://ilmfeed.com/10-more-reasons-why-muslims-should-travel/

What Is Halal Tourism? (n.d.). Retrieved from  http://www.muslimbreak.com/what-is-halal-tourism/

Whitehead, N. (2015, December 25). A Religious Forecast For 2050: Atheism Is Down, Islam Is Rising. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/12/25/460797744/a-religious-forecast-for-2050-atheism-is-down-islam-is-rising