Skiing and cruises: Halal tourism enters the luxury era

 

Halal tourism is growing at a rapid pace. The Muslim travel market continues to « grow rapidly and evolve in a changing market, » says the Global Muslim Travel Index report on the subject. The halal travel market is expected to reach $220 billion by 2020, and $300 billion by 2026. In 2017, there were just over 130 million Muslim tourists in the world. This number could reach 156 million by 2020. That would represent 10% of the global travel market. And halal tourism is evolving with the times: Arabian Business explains that a « Muslim jet-set » is emerging, bringing with it new consumer habits.

Because if several countries like the Gulf region, of course, but also Morocco, Spain or Turkey are already preferred destinations for Muslims, especially for their respect for Islam, other markets are opening up to them: Amine Beloufa, marketing director of the online travel site Noussouki Travel, explains to the magazine that Muslim « jetsetters » from around the world have developed a taste for luxury halal vacations, with skiing and cruises at the top. « The average Muslim traveler is becoming more demanding and adventurous. We’ve seen a growing demand for halal ski resorts…in Turkey, Bosnia and Switzerland, » says the marketing director.

In addition to winter sports, Noussouki Travel is also banking on cruises, halal of course. « Many of our customers ask for them. At the moment, we are working with liners in Turkey that travel to the islands. On board the ships, there is no alcohol, all the food is halal, the pools are separate and there is entertainment to do with the family, » says Amine Beloufa who believes that halal tourism is only in its « infancy for now. » Noussouki Travel also explains that the « city-breaks », looking for luxury stays in European capitals, such as London, Paris and Rome, are also growing rapidly.

 

The Noussouki Travel team