Category: Travel & Hospitality
Makkah for the rich: Islam’s holiest site ‘turning into Vegas’
To the al-Saud monarchy, Makkah is their vision of the future – a steel and concrete metropolis built on the proceeds of enormous oil wealth that showcases their national pride. Behind closed doors – in places where the religious police cannot listen in – residents of Makkah are beginning to refer to their city as Las Vegas, and the moniker is not a compliment.
Malaysia: 600 rich Pakistanis opt for 2nd home scheme in Malaysia
About 600 Pakistanis have recently availed Malaysia My Second Home scheme that offers 10-year residency visa in the country. Interestingly from 2002 to April 2009, about 13,076 people from more than 100 countries all over the world opted for this scheme and Pakistan was at the 7th position in terms of the number of people who got the scheme. Being a Muslim country, Pakistan must get the advantage of producing Halal products, and Malaysia is now providing technical support for this.
Muslim Travel to US on the Rise after Sharp Drop Post 9/11
After a sharp decline following 9/11, Muslim travel to the US is on the rise, though not yet to pre 9/11 levels. Crescentrating, a Muslim lifestyle friendly travel portal and rating service, estimates this market to be $100 billion globally in 2010. Crescentrating is now expanding to cover hotels in the United States which will enable US hotels to tap into this lucrative niche travel market.
UAE: Muslim Holiday-makers head to ‘now affordable’ Europe
Holiday-makers from Qatar are heading to destinations in Europe, making use of the present economic frost sweeping across the euro zone countries, tourism industry experts have observed.
Thailand:THAI operates certified Halal Food kitchen
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) has received authorization from the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand for the use of the Halal Logo and HAL-Q symbol.
UAE: Is Ramadan a month of fasting, or feasting?
Although there are no figures available for Dubai, the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi released figures in August 2010 showing that approximately 500 tonnes of food gets thrown away in the capital during Ramadan. An unholy amount of food gets wasted during Ramadan as hotels outdo each other in putting up huge iftar spreads comprising 40-50 dishes that leave patrons biting off more than they can chew.
Opinion: Shariah compliant hotels
TODAY, we have fashion hotels, underwater hotels, ice hotels, seven star hotels, etc., and, for the devout, syariah-compliant hotels! In the last 15 years, I’ve travelled to more 35 countries and stayed in over 100 hotels, and most of today’s syariah-Shariah compliant (SC) hotel’s neither provide a religious experience nor value for money.
Opinion: Islamic finance, Halal industry & Shariah-compliant hotels during Ramadhan
Ramadan is a period of introspection for Muslims and Islamic financial institutions to better observe Islamic teachings, appreciate our blessings and be moved to action by the burden of others.
Opinion: The no-kids-allowed movement is spreading
What’s the matter with kids today and why doesn’t anyone want them around? In June, Malaysia Airlines banned babies from many of their first class cabins, prompting other major airlines to consider similar policies.
Opinion: How Gate Gourmet is trying to raise its game in airline meals
With many taking their summer holidays now, and flights full to places all around the world, here is an article on that famous airline meal that we all dread but still look forward to when we are the trapped recipients of it.
Malaysia: Hotels Asked To Obtain Halal Certification
Hotel operators which have yet to obtain halal certificates from the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) have been urged to get their certifications to ensure that the food and drinks they served during Ramadan are halal.
Opinion: Muslim vacationers worry over availability of halal food abroad
Many Muslims who travel to a non-Muslim countries say that getting halal food is a major concern, and many say that they are reluctant to eat in restaurants that serve pork.
Turkey: Arabs fuel tourism boom for Turkey
The Arab spring is fuelling a Turkish summer as Saudis, Kuwaitis and other tourists from the Gulf states who would have previously spent summers in Syria or Egypt look further north.
Thailand: Phuket gets cooking for halal food expo
Representatives from 70 halal organizations from 35 countries have been invited to join the ‘Phuket Halal International Forum and Andaman Muslim Expo 2011’, which gets underway at Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa in Patong on June 22.
Singapore: CrescentRating to promote Halal Friendly Travel in the Balkans
Singapore based Crescentrating have joined hands with the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Agency for Halal Quality Certification to promote Halal Friendly Travel services and facilities in the region.
Opinion: Trip to the Balkans – Part 1
It was my first visit to the Balkans, where I was doing a series of Halal Workshops, and I was struck by the natural beauty of the region. They all have plenty to offer; great views of nature, beautiful mountain ranges, sprawling valleys, historic old towns… really great places to explore!
Halal Hotels Cater to Muslim Tourists
In a bid to lure Muslim tourists, hotels across the Middle East are replacing traditional Western signs of luxury with others carrying Arab and Muslim touches. About 88 percent of Arab travelers said they would like to stay in an Islamic hotel during their holiday travel.
Thailand welcomes Middle East visitors for Ramadan
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with Thai hotels and travel industry partners, is set to entice Middle Eastern travellers to Thailand with a ‘home away from home’ experience this summer by way of special “Ramadan Packages” and related activities during the Holy Month.
Opinion: Dubai’s skyscrapers, stained by the blood of migrant workers
Dubai seems to be a place where the worst of western capitalism and Gulf Arab racism meet in a horrible vortex. The Indian consulate in Dubai has revealed that at least two Indian expats commit suicide each week. There is something deeply sinister about Dubai luxury.
UK: London’s Edgware Road is a crossroads of East and West
This is the time of year when Edgware bursts into activity as visitors from the Gulf migrate to the fashionable London district to escape the summer heat. Edgware Road’s microculture hints at an intriguing global multicultural future for the Arab and Muslim worlds.
