Time to Promote Bangladesh as A Halal Tourist Destination

Travel experts are calling on Bangladesh to take strategic steps to capture a share of the rapidly expanding halal tourism market. Halal tourism, a subcategory of the travel industry tailored for Muslim families adhering to Islamic principles, is experiencing significant growth.

What is Halal Tourism?

Halal tourism caters to the specific needs of Muslim travelers, providing services and facilities that comply with Islamic laws. Examples of halal tourism offerings include:

• Places of Worship: Availability of prayer rooms in shopping centers and major tourist facilities.
• Halal Food: Hotels and restaurants serving food prepared according to halal standards.
• Gender-Segregated Facilities: Separate swimming pools and spa facilities for men and women.

Growth of Halal Tourism

This tourism sub-sector is on the rise due to several factors:

• Growing Muslim Population: The global Muslim population is increasing.
• Rising Purchasing Power: Many Muslim-majority countries have rising disposable incomes.
• Preference for Halal Services: An increasing number of Muslims prefer consuming halal food and using services that adhere to Islamic principles.

In 2015, spending by Muslim tourists exceeded $138 billion, and it is expected to surpass $180 billion by 2020, according to Kazi Wahidul Alam, editor of Bangladesh Monitor, an aviation and tourism magazine.

Current Challenges and Opportunities

Presently, Bangladesh is not recognized as a tourist destination by Muslim travelers when planning their holidays, says Shamnoon Muheb Chowdhury, director of goBDgo, a travel agency. He shared these insights at a seminar titled “Emergence of Halal Tourism – How Bangladesh Can Benefit,” held during the US-Bangla Airlines Dhaka Travel Mart 2017.

First Steps: The initial step to changing this perception is branding Bangladesh as a Muslim-friendly country. “We need to define our target markets and understand why Muslims from Middle Eastern countries would want to visit Bangladesh,” Chowdhury added.

Leveraging Existing Strengths

Syed Ghulam Qadir, managing director of Wonder Ways, pointed out that Bangladesh already possesses many attributes desirable to Muslim travelers, such as halal food, rich Islamic heritage, and numerous mosques.

Learning from Regional Leaders

Taufiq Rahman, chief executive of Journey Plus, noted that countries like Malaysia and Thailand are excelling in halal tourism. Despite Malaysia being a Muslim-majority country, Thailand’s success in this field, despite its predominantly Buddhist population, is both surprising and encouraging.

Challenges: “It was easier for Malaysia as it was already a popular tourist destination and a Muslim-majority nation. For Bangladesh, it will be more challenging due to its current low tourist numbers,” Rahman added.

Overcoming Obstacles

Masud Hossain, managing director of Bengal Tours Limited, highlighted that recent militant activities and political unrest in 2015 have hindered the promotion of tourism in Bangladesh.

Peaceful Environment: “At this moment, it will be very challenging for Bangladesh to introduce a new brand of tourism as Muslims prefer to travel in a peaceful environment,” Hossain said.

Halal tourism presents a significant opportunity for Bangladesh to boost its tourism sector. By leveraging its existing Islamic heritage and facilities, branding itself effectively, and learning from successful regional examples, Bangladesh can position itself as an attractive destination for Muslim travelers. However, addressing current challenges and ensuring a peaceful travel environment will be crucial for success.