Tourism

Madrid:- The deadly coronavirus epidemic will cost world tourism at least $22 billion owing to a drop in spending by Chinese tourists, the head of the World Travel and Tourism Council said Thursday. The figure does not take into account the losses due to the overall drop of world tourism by other nationalities.

Statistics from 2018 showed that the UAE alone has 73 percent of the region’s luxury properties. The country is poised to remain the GCC luxury segment leader well into 2022.

A close second in line is Saudi Arabia which is, predicted to witness the sharpest rise in luxury hotel supply by 2022 with a compound annual growth rate of 18 percent from 2018 onwards, compared to just 10 percent in the UAE, 11 percent in Oman and Kuwait, and 9 percent in Bahrain.

The Arabian Travel Market research firm showed that luxury properties in the region tripled in just 10 years, with 95 percent operated by international management brands.

However, things are shifting, including the demographics of the region’s visitors. The surge in three and four-star hotels in Dubai alone shows the market is demanding more variety. For the region to continue to evolve and thrive in the travel sector, options are key.

This diversification has helped keep Dubai relevant, and most of all, affordable. Market leader Jumeirah’s recent Zabeel House openings have proven this change. When the emirate’s foremost luxury brand opens in areas not usually considered travel hotspots, including The Greens, one can see things are clearly evolving.

Dubai is unique, with around 60 percent of its business still in luxury properties. Like Jumeirah, Emaar also responded to this changing landscape, creating Rove Hotels, a mid-market alternative to its luxury counterparts.

With openings such as Kingfisher Lodge in Sharjah, by the emirate’s development arm Shurooq and taken over by luxury operator, Mysk, where peak time rates at the luxury camping lodge rival those of some of the world’s most expensive properties, there is no lack of faith in the luxury market.

Saudi Arabia’s huge investment in the Red Sea is another show of trust in the luxury sector. The projects underway are tapping into the clientele who would usually go to the likes of the Seychelles or Maldives, but allow them the cultural reassurances of Halal travel. The development of Amaala, a new ultra-luxury tourism mega-project earmarked for completion in 2028, will add a massive 2,500 hotel rooms.

But Saudi Arabia, like its neighbor, Dubai, is also broadening its offerings, with over 9,000 combined keys of three, four and five-star international supply expected in 2019.

Amadeus research found there are no signs of letting up, predicting luxury travel in the region will continue at the same pace until 2025 with not only the hotels but their luxury airlines a point of focus too.

Even where experiences have turned into big money, in the likes of the most northern of the UAE’s emirates, Ras Al Khaimah, it’s luxury sector still thrives, properties such as the Waldorf Astoria among its shining jewels. And with the World Cup’s arrival imminent, Qatar continues to put its trust in yet more luxury properties around its capital, Doha.

Learning the lessons of countries like China is key. Suffering an oversupply of luxury properties, the UAE went through a similar challenge, but with a huge investment in mid-market properties, tourism chiefs have ensured the country stays relevant, whatever the region’s economic fortunes.

Travel agencies and other companies related to the hospitality industry around the globe are fast embracing new trends in the global halal travel industry in 2020. Following is a list of the newest trends of halal travel in 2020.

The growth of halal travel is not slowing down, with Muslim travelers predicted to contribute US$300 billion to the global economy in the next decade, according to Mastercard and Crescent Rating. In the latest edition of the Halal in Travel Frontier Report, Mastercard and Crescent Rating listed 16 key trends that will shape halal tourism development in 2020.

Some of the key trends the report highlights are the growing importance of mobile wallets among Muslim travelers, the rise of Muslim women travelers, and the interest among Muslim travelers to seek out lesser popular tourist destinations. Check them out here.

1. Reframing of halal tourism for inbound markets

First and foremost, the report speaks about the reframing of halal tourism for the inbound market. There has been a rise in organizations trying to promote halal tourism in the past year, destinations which have been non-Muslim might have faced obstacles due to the lack of awareness among stakeholders of what halal tourism is. Some local communities of the destinations fear the loss of local culture and heritage if halal tourism is promoted.

On the other hand, some destinations are keen on attracting and catering to the Muslim travel market but have reservations of adopting halal tourism with the worry of possibly alienating and driving away non-Muslim tourists. These issues give rise to a pressing need to redefine and reframe what halal tourism is to mitigate such obstacles. There is a need to reiterate to stakeholders that halal tourism ultimately emphasizes an inclusive environment and does not refer to being Muslim-exclusive.

2. Future-ready travel sector for Gen Z and Gen Alpha

This year will be significant for Gen Z Muslims as the enter the workforce as they will play a key role in determining the next phase of halal travel. Similar to their Gen Y or Millennial predecessors, Gen Z Muslims prefer travel experiences that are authentic, affordable and accessible.

However, they are also highly adaptable to different cultures and contexts and can successfully juggle their travel limitations. In this aspect, service providers and destinations need to be able to cater to the faith-based service needs of Gen Z. Gen Alpha probably first learned to use their fingers to both points to objects as well as swipe smartphones.

Technology is deeply embedded with Gen Alpha. In this aspect, parents seeking a getaway will welcome destinations and services that can fulfill the needs of their Gen Alpha kids.

3. Umrah DIY: Tech innovation and the gold rush for behavior data

Within this segment, there will be increasing competition to cater to the needs of those doing Umrah on their own. Technology will be key in facilitating multiple Umrah travel needs and touchpoints for this group. This includes learning about the customs, rituals and Umrah locations via 360-degree live video streams, receiving guided augmented tours via smartphones and sharing their experiences during Umrah via highspeed connections.

Pilgrims will also be connected via traditional as well as crowdsourced news. As technology continues to advance and becomes more ubiquitous in the Umrah experience, it will help to create a more connected and better Umrah experience.

4. Muslim business travelers as service catalysts

The meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector has been slow to respond to the growth of the Muslim market, especially the conference and exhibition segment. Most venues did not have basic halal food or prayer space facilities. That is beginning to change now as the wave of Muslim travel influence is spreading to the MICE sector.

Driven by the growing number of Muslim business travelers to exhibitions and conferences, 2020 will continue to see a growth in halal-inclusive events and venues. Event and meeting planners are starting to integrate

5. Diversity guiding responsible content sharing

While the debate on whether social media companies and governments should play a more active role in policing online behavior continues, we do see the emergence of responsible content sharing of unique stories by diverse groups of people.

6. Towards a global travel wallet for travelers

Enabled by advancements in security features such as facial recognition and biometrics, e-wallets and mobile payments are rapidly growing in popularity among travelers. This year will see increased usage and popularity of e-commerce payments among travelers, as more and more merchants embrace efficient, secure and convenient digital payment methods.

7. Multiple activities driving growth for Muslim female travelers

In 2018, Muslim women comprised 45% of the Muslim travel market. The continued growth of this segment in 2020 will lead to a greater dynamism of activities involving Muslim women travelers.

8. Sustainability as a core for halal travel

Sustainability will become increasingly central to shaping both business and consumer decisions in the tourism sector. Future travelers will begin to reward destinations and companies that can provide quality services while being eco-friendly and culturally respectful.

9. The arugula phenomenon

The “Ertugrul Phenomenon” has been spurred by a string of high-quality and well-produced shows inspired by Islamic history and heritage. These shows are having the same effects as Lord of the Rings for New Zealand, and K-Drama and K-Pop for Korea.

10. The emergence of the “Muslim social impact travel” spirit

Driven by the global trend of social awareness and faith, a growing number of Muslim travelers are increasingly conscious of making a social impact when they travel.

11. Ensuring off-track destinations are on track with Muslim travel needs

With heightened concerns of over-tourism in popular destinations adversely impacting the quality of life for residents and visitors, more people will choose to visit less-traveled destinations.

12. Overcoming Islamaphobia one step at a time

https://www.halaltimes.com/embracing-new-trends-in-halal-travel-in-2020/In some parts of the world, hate crimes have been committed towards Muslims due to Islamophobia. Despite these, Muslim travelers may still choose to visit such destinations out of necessity for business or visiting friends and relatives (VFR).

13. Halal gastronomy to the mainstream

As Halal food becomes available in more destinations, services and operators will redesign their culinary activities to be inclusive and Muslim-friendly, pioneering a new wave of Halal-centric gastronomy tours and activities.

14. The Daud Kim effect: Amidst the digital noise, young Muslims find Daud Kim relatable

With their effective reach and raw messaging, influencers like Daud Kim will play a positive role in changing mindsets and helping improve the perception of Muslim travelers around the world.

15. The resurrection of lost heritage sites and Islamic history

With moves to grow and promote tourism in Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia, 2020 will see the resurrection of lost heritage sites. More OIC destinations will embrace this trend and uncover heritage that may be of interest to Muslim visitors.

16. Transition point in halal lifestyle events

Halal lifestyle events will no longer be in the emergent phase of the conference and exhibitions industry. Their maturity will be signaled by a shift towards better quality events.

According to these trends, local communities can develop by embracing diversity as travelers’ spending power and destination awareness increases, so does these travelers’ sense of responsibility.

Safdar Khan, markets division president, Mastercard, said, “The trends within this report provide focus to organizations, tourism operators and merchants looking to engage with this community and further their businesses and communities with expert information on how to better hone their offerings to this powerful demographic.”

Originally published on www.marketing-interactive.com

UAE-based hotel group TIME hotels is targeting investment opportunities in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan as part of its international expansion prospects.

The chief executive officer of TIME Hotels, Mohamed Awadalla, was invited by the State Committee on Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan to discuss potential hospitality investments in Tatarstan’s capital city of Kazan.

The objective of the meeting was to discuss the promotion of halal tourism and potential hospitality investments.

The meeting was between Awadalla and the president of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, as well as other prominent government delegates, and the Mufti – meaning the ‘religious leader’ – of Tatarstan, Kamil Hazrat Samigullin.

Commenting on TIME Hotels’ international growth, chief executive officer, Mohamed Awadalla, said: “With more than one million visitors per year and rising, the Republic of Tatarstan is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in Russia and is an ideal location to continue our international expansion of the TIME Hotels brand.”

Over the year, TIME Hotels aims to expand its current portfolio, with several openings scheduled across Dubai and the UAE as well as other properties across the MENA region, including Egypt.

“We have been very strategic with our upcoming openings, identifying and assessing demand within the market and working to implement the most suitable brand from the TIME portfolio that best matches that demand,” Awadalla said.

Originally published on www.constructionweekonline.com

Taiwan’s tourism industry, it’s fair to say, has pretty much conquered the Japanese market. Every year since 2014, Taiwan has been the no. 1 overseas destination for Japanese travelers. While Chinese tourists have the money and inclination to come in droves, they lack the freedom to go wherever they want. If Taiwan is to attract more visitors from nearby countries, Southeast Asia is thus an obvious region to focus on.

For decades, Southeast Asians with Chinese ancestry have been coming to Taiwan to study and do business. However, reaching beyond the Chinese diaspora is complicated by religion. Islam is the majority faith in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei — yet visitors to Taiwan who wish to pray in mosques and observe Islamic dietary laws are often out of luck.

Just nine of Taiwan’s 15,000-plus registered houses of religion are devoted to Islam. Outside of explicitly vegetarian restaurants, finding meals that don’t include some amount of pork or lard can be difficult.

Official efforts to tap into the huge Muslim market — almost a quarter of the world’s population — began in 2008, when the Tourism Bureau and the Taiwan Visitors Association invited international Islamic tourism experts to visit Taiwan. The bureau recently established permanent offices in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. In the first half of this, a new office in Dubai will promote Taiwan throughout the Middle East.

MORE HALAL NEEDED

In 2010, the bureau published a 104-page booklet titled Traveling in Taiwan for Muslims. An example of fine intentions but flawed execution, it mentions the availability of snake wine and snake meat at Taipei’s Huaxi Street Night Market, even though both are haram (forbidden for Muslims). It also introduces Yu Zhen Zhai, a traditional bakery in Lukang which, as of the end of last year, had yet to obtain halal certification. These blunders don’t appear in the 2012 edition of the booklet.

A lack of halal food around major tourist spots is one of the biggest obstacles preventing more Muslims from coming to Taiwan, says Elaine Tee of Have Halal, Will Travel (HHWT), a Singapore-based travel and lifestyle platform for Muslims. She describes Taiwan as “a pretty new destination for the Muslim segment. It has lots of natural sights that can attract Muslims, coupled with lower costs compared to Japan and some other destinations.”

Originally published on www.taipeitimes.com

Jannah Hotels & Resorts has announced an array of offers and packages to support Expo 2020 Dubai across all its properties.

The brand will offer accommodation at Jannah Burj Al Sarab, Jannah Marina Bay Suites, Jannah Place Dubai Marina, Jannah Dubai Creeksside and Jannah Ras Al Khaimah.

As a leading Halal-friendly hotel group in the world, Jannah wants to create memorable experiences for visitors and residents alike.

The campaign revealed guests and participants of the expo to be treated to complimentary breakfast, a valuable 20 percent discount across the brand’s restaurants, and a room upgrade to the next category based on availability.

In addition, guests booking accommodation at a Jannah Hotels & Resorts property will receive one or a three-day pass to the expo and daily transportation to/from the event.

Catering to travelers seeking flexibility, the hotel plans to offer early check-in and late check-out timings. 

The group is also offering special early bird rates at its hotels during the Expo 2020, available for reservation until February 20th, 2020.

Expo 2020 Dubai expects to welcome 25 million visits during the event which runs for six months from October 20th this year until April 10th next year.