Hong Kong gearing up to strengthen position in halal tourism

Hong Kong has the potential to develop unique Muslim-focused experiences to attract more visitors from the Middle East and Southeast Asia, according to a diplomat and tourism industry insiders, according to a post of South China Morning Post.

They emphasized that the city's ambition to become a hub for halal tourism should go beyond merely adapting existing services. 

Instead, it should involve creating new cultural experiences specifically designed for Muslim travelers.

Turkish Consul General Kerim Sercan Evcin suggested that Hong Kong could introduce a distinctive Ramadan bazaar, featuring local specialties alongside offerings from various countries and cultures.

Alexander Wasserman, the Miramar Group’s head of hotels and service apartments, agreed that Hong Kong could hold its own events over the season.

Referring to Christmas and Lunar New Year events that promote festive goodies, he said: “Why not also do an Islamic celebration for Ramadan?”

Tourism Board statistics for last year showed the city received 405,508 visitors from Malaysia and 366,973 from Indonesia – both countries with large Muslim populations – and 16,498 from the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

City leader John Lee Ka-chiu mentioned it in his latest policy address, while finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po vowed last month in his budget speech to ramp up efforts to develop Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian markets to attract more “high-end visitors”.

The largest mosque in the city, Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre remains one of the top destinations for Muslim tourists visiting Hong Kong.

(photo credit: South China Morning Post)

Tourism Commissioner Angelina Cheung Fung Wing-ping said at the recent iftar event there was room to grow the Middle Eastern market.

She emphasised the need to strengthen Hong Kong’s appeal, particularly by offering Muslim visitors more halal dining options and suitable facilities and services.

She said it was important to explain the business opportunities to the city’s restaurants and help them understand how to cater to this group.

In a sign that the message was already getting through, a growing number of Chinese restaurants were seeking halal certification, she said.

At a separate event also on 4th March, Tourism Board deputy executive director Becky Ip Ching-tak said that since last June, the number of halal-certified restaurants had risen from about 100 to 162.

The board hosted more than 20 Muslim travel industry partners from Southeast Asia in February to show them Hong Kong’s Muslim-friendly offerings and attractions.

Future plans include developing training materials for frontline staff on Muslim cultural preferences and collaborating with Middle Eastern media outlets to promote Hong Kong.

The arrivals were an increase from 2023, when there were 270,588 visitors from Malaysia, 257,279 from Indonesia and 9,743 from the Gulf.

Muslim visitors who pray five times a day will want to know if there are prayer rooms set aside for men and women, and if food served to them is halal.

Among other things, meat used in halal food must come from animals slaughtered according to Islamic practice, pork and alcohol products are forbidden, and meals must be prepared in designated kitchens with utensils not used for other food.