Follow us:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • AppStore
  • RSS
Azernews.Az
Tuesday December 10 2019
  • Latest
  • Nation
  • World
  • Business
  • Oil & Gas
  • Armenian Aggression
  • Nagorno-karabakh conflict
  • Editorial
  • Analysis
  • Lifestyle
  • Events
  • Healthcare
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Travel
Home
  • Home
  • Nation
  • World
  • Business
  • Oil & Gas
  • Armenian Aggression
  • Nagorno-karabakh conflict
  • Editorial
  • Analysis
  • Lifestyle
  • Events
  • Healthcare
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Travel

Potential of Halal tourism in Azerbaijan

17 October 2017 10:16 (UTC+04:00)
4 095

By Amina Nazrli

Have you heard of 'Halal tourism' before? 'Halal' is a notion typically used for food but covers all activities of daily life in accordance with the Islamic Law.

Today, the Muslim travel market one of the fastest-growing segments in the global travel industry, if to consider that Muslims represent nearly one-fourth of the world’s population.

Last year about $155 billion were spent by Muslim travelers, which represent about 13 percent of the total global travel expenses, according to the data of the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI).

This May, the GMTI predicted that the Muslim travel market will be worth $220 billion by 2020 and $300 billion by 2026, spurred by Muslim-friendly amenities and easy access to travel information.

The number of Muslim tourists for today is 108 million and  this figure will reach 150 million in 2020, the statistics reveals.

Malaysia is considered the number one choice for halal tourism. The country has even earned the status of being a “Muslim-friendly” destination. Other popular tourist destinations for Muslims include the United Arab Emirate, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

In total there are 350 halal hotels in the world, and 160 of them are located in Turkey, herewith, prices in such hotels, according to Zamanov, are quite high.

But where stands Azerbaijan, with 10-million predominantly Muslim population, on this list?

In the 2016 survey of GMTI covering 130 tourist destinations, Azerbaijan, has ranked 20th among the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The country’s incomparable historical and cultural heritage, as well as expertise in halal hospitality, allowed Azerbaijan to enter the list of the top Muslim holidays destinations. In Azerbaijan, where modernity and intellect meet Islam and modern cultures, Muslim visitors can have an unforgettable experience.

Meanwhile, this year the GMTI put Azerbaijan 24th on development of halal tourism

Although recently, tourism in Azerbaijan has become one of the priority areas, but halal tourism is not yet so developed.

Expert in tourism Ramin Zamanov in an interview with Sputnik Azerbaijan said that this direction implies the construction of hotels, restaurants, food facilities in accordance with the requirements of Islam.

“Halal tourism" today exists and develops in countries where Muslims constitute the overwhelming majority of the population,” he said.

Such recreation centers should have mosques, as well as recreation places for women and men separately. The dishes should also be prepared in conformity with Islamic traditions.

“That is, people rest in an environment that fully meets the requirements of the religion they practice,” he said.

The generally accepted standard of halal tourism in the world does not yet exist: “There is no halal planes or halal tours, there are just halal hotels and food facilities."

However, as the expert pointed out, some entrepreneurs simply use the word "halal" to make money on people who are extremely attached to their religion. He also noted that it is quite difficult to calculate the revenues received from this type of tourism.

If to consider the statistics from January to July 2017 Arab tourists hold the first position among tourists visiting Azerbaijan.

There is no halal hotels in Azerbaijan, Zamanov said, although there were attempts to create them. As a rule, religious people are engaged in the construction of such hotels.

“In general, there is no great demand for halal tourism, and it is only possible to invest in it in Azerbaijan on an individual basis.”

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

Category News

Azerbaijan to open representative tourism offices in South Korea, Ukraine <span class="color_red">[PHOTO]</span>

Azerbaijan to open representative tourism offices in South Korea, Ukraine [PHOTO]

9 December 11:55
Number of tourists to Azerbaijan to reach 3 million <span class="color_red">[PHOTO]</span>

Number of tourists to Azerbaijan to reach 3 million [PHOTO]

9 December 11:39
Azerbaijan to give tax benefits to tourism service providers

Azerbaijan to give tax benefits to tourism service providers

5 December 16:59
Flow of Iran's tourists to Azerbaijan increases

Flow of Iran's tourists to Azerbaijan increases

5 December 12:15
New air corridor between Azerbaijan, Turkey named &quot;Friendship Corridor&quot; <span class="color_red">[VIDEO]</span>

New air corridor between Azerbaijan, Turkey named "Friendship Corridor" [VIDEO]

4 December 16:45
Azerbaijan approves protocol on visa-free regime with Kazakhstan

Azerbaijan approves protocol on visa-free regime with Kazakhstan

3 December 17:14
Azerbaijan to boost tourism in Naftalan resort

Azerbaijan to boost tourism in Naftalan resort

3 December 15:59
Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan region, Iran mull co-op in tourism

Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan region, Iran mull co-op in tourism

2 December 15:45
Azerbaijan may use rural houses to accommodate tourists

Azerbaijan may use rural houses to accommodate tourists

30 November 14:16
Tourist police to start operating in Baku

Tourist police to start operating in Baku

30 November 13:56
  • Latest
  • Popular
10:00 • Armenia violates ceasefire with Azerbaijan 20 times
9 December 20:40 • National pastries enjoy great success in Abu Dhabi [PHOTO/VIDEO]
9 December 20:25 • Haluk Levent: Nobody leaves world with anything except good deeds [PHOTO]
9 December 20:10 • "Steppe Man" film named best in Israel
9 December 19:41 • Colorful festival opens in Carpet Museum [PHOTO]
9 December 19:26 • Holiday charity fair underway in Baku [MEDIA P] [PHOTO]
9 December 19:11 • Groundbreaking ceremony of helicopter maintenance & repair plant held in Baku [PHOTO]
9 December 18:59 • Ambassador of Mexico visits Azerbaijan's Khazar University
9 December 18:47 • Azercell awarded with certificate for "Best Stand Design"
9 December 18:36 • Soldier's death stirs Armenian society
9 December 18:34 • Japan PM Abe discussing Japan visit by Iranian President Rouhani
9 December 18:15 • Exports of goods via “single window” up in Azerbaijan
9 December 18:03 • Christmas concert to get you into the holiday spirit!
9 December 17:54 • Date of elections to Supreme Assembly of Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan AR announced
9 December 17:43 • EU approves 3.2 billion euro state aid for battery research
9 December 17:35 • Azerbaijani-Russian relations switch to new level - minister
9 December 17:26 • Azerbaijan - Russia's most important economic, trade partner in South Caucasus
9 December 17:12 • Draft Baku General Plan to be presented in 2020 [PHOTO]
9 December 17:00 • Minister: Baku must prove to world that its worthy of 'creative city' title
9 December 16:52 • Azerbaijani, Russian customs officials discuss cooperation in Seoul [PHOTO]
9 December 14:50 • Azerbaijan, Qatar eye boosting military cooperation
9 December 11:39 • Number of tourists to Azerbaijan to reach 3 million [PHOTO]
9 December 11:55 • Azerbaijan to open representative tourism offices in South Korea, Ukraine [PHOTO]
9 December 11:07 • Baku: Major consequences of Karabakh conflict must be eliminated
9 December 15:26 • Transport potential of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars to reach 15m tons
9 December 12:12 • Italy interested in importing Uzbek agricultural, textile products
9 December 11:24 • OSCE Minsk Group: Status quo on Nagorno-Karabakh unacceptable
9 December 10:53 • Famous music comedy stuns Baku audience [PHOTO]
9 December 16:24 • Azercosmos signs cooperation agreement with Russian company
9 December 17:26 • Azerbaijan - Russia's most important economic, trade partner in South Caucasus
9 December 12:28 • Minister praises DOST project's role in social services [PHOTO]
9 December 14:04 • Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan set to boost economic, trade ties
9 December 14:46 • Azerbaijan is fastest growing country among ECO member states [PHOTO]
9 December 12:15 • President Aliyev receives delegation led by Russian minister of economic development [PHOTO]
9 December 16:52 • Azerbaijani, Russian customs officials discuss cooperation in Seoul [PHOTO]
9 December 14:20 • Animal identification to launch in Azerbaijan in 2020 [PHOTO]
9 December 12:55 • Oil prices slip as weak China exports highlights trade war impact
9 December 13:13 • President: Turkmenistan aims to strengthen dialogue with Azerbaijan
9 December 19:11 • Groundbreaking ceremony of helicopter maintenance & repair plant held in Baku [PHOTO]
9 December 18:36 • Soldier's death stirs Armenian society
See more
AzerNews Newspaper
AzerNews
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • RSS

Information

About us Contacts Advertising Azernews In Print

News Archive

© 2019 AzerNews. All rights reserved