Once seen as a niche revenue stream, limited to pilgrimages like the multi-billion dollar-a-year revenue stream generated by Muslim travelers to Mecca. But now there's a movement in the tourism industry to widen the "Halal tourism" market to cater to Muslim travelers worldwide, particularly those from wealthy Gulf Arab states.

Travelers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman will spend $64 billion traveling this year and are expected to spend $216 billion by 2030, according to a 2014 study for the travel tech company Amadeus. 

5. SAUDI ARABIA

The birthplace and spiritual home of Islam, Saudi Arabia is as rich in attractions as it is in stirring symbolism. It is also one of the most difficult places on earth to visit. For those who do get in, rock-hewn Mada'in Saleh is Arabia's greatest treasure. Other wonders abound. The mud brick ruins of Dir'aiyah, and Jeddah- gateway to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, has an enchanting old city made of coral, while the Red Sea coast has world-class diving. Elsewhere, this is a land of astonishing natural beauty, particularly the plunging landscapes of the Asir Mountains in the Kingdom's southwest.  With a state of the art rail system being developed to further connect the Kingdom and its neighbors, talks to issue tourist visas in the very near future have reignited.

Prince Sultan bin Salman, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage noted: "The tourism sector is one of most important sectors of economy.  The instability in the region has led to the deterioration of their economies and the loss of thousands of jobs and now the citizen is looking for economic alternatives. I believe strengthening the economy in the Arab world begins with the strengthening security in the region, in addition to reconsidering the role of tourism council, since we are passing through critical times and exceptional turn in the Arab World.  We do not want the role of this Council to be confined to economic development only, despite its importance, but we should assume the new roles to it restore the prestige of the Arab world, and bring its people under the glare of their history and heritage."

Best of all, there are few places left that can be said to represent the last frontier of tourism. Whether you're an expat or a pilgrim, Saudi Arabia is one of them.

4. TURKEY

Popular with both Arab and European holiday goers, Turkey has seen an internal push to accommodate more Muslim travel goers and their families- not only do Gulf holidaymakers spend more, their palates and requests are easier to accommodate. Offering Halal cruises, historical treks, and set visits to some of the more popular Turkish dramas to air in the GCC region, tourism continues in ever rising numbers. In line with its ambitions, Istanbul is set to host the world's largest international showcase of Halal travel.  Organizers have moved the event from December to March in order to avoid clashing with Umrah dates- in a sign of great respect for all the Muslim attendees. Organizers say the move to March will now see over 1,200 delegates from over 50 countries, including industry experts, international speakers, specialists and tourism suppliers attend the event which will take place in Istanbul. It is the second international conference on Halal tourism that has taken place in Europe. Last year's inaugural event saw over 400 delegates visit Andaluc?a, Spain which brought together the global travel industry to discuss ways of tapping into this niche market.

3. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

With Abu Dhabi hosting the World Halal Travel Summit in 2015, and Dubai's ever ambitious plan to make the UAE a go to destination for all the pillars of the Islamic economy, it's no surprise the UAE has made it on the list. The country is already a popular tourism destination, attracting more than 11 million visitors of all backgrounds every year. Increasingly, Muslims around the Middle East and elsewhere are looking to the UAE as the ideal destination, because of its Islamic provenance and modern sensibilities. Sharjah, in particular, attracts a large share of the Halal and family tourism industry because its hotels serve no alcohol and provide separate pools, gym and spa facilities for men and women. A delicate balance of Islamic Museums, Grand mosques, and grand malls- as well as an increasing number of dry hotels being developed to lure more conservative families to vacation in the two most modern cities in the UAE. Sultan Al Dhaheri, acting executive director of Tourism, TCA Abu Dhabi added: "expenditure by Halal tourists is expected to rise more than 6 percent per annum for the foreseeable future, which is almost double global industry growth. "With Abu Dhabi now specifically targeting the Halal tourism sector with segment-specific accommodation and product, the staging of this event in the UAE capital will put the spotlight on our offering and ambitions".

2. JAPAN

Japan has launched a number of initiatives -- from awareness programs to the local industry to releasing the Muslim travel guide to Japan, some airports and hotels in Japan have also started offering Halal food and prayer rooms.

An increasing number of Japan based tour operators have also begun catering exclusively to Muslim travelers, providing them with lists of restaurants that serve Halal meat, directions for prayer, and arranging excursions to locations that respect the no alcohol-no pork guidelines. As overall tourism to Japan is on the rise -- priority as Tokyo prepares to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games -- the country is getting high marks for its efforts at becoming a Halal-friendly tourism destination. The number of Muslim travelers to Japan is projected to more than triple by 2020. In 2013, an estimated 300,000 Muslim tourists visited Japan. This figure could reach one million by 2020. Japan's push to attract the Muslim tourism market is creating business opportunities. TFK Corporation, an airline caterer in Tokyo, is one example of how the travel industry is paying more attention to the growing Muslim market: Last fall, the company acquired certification for its Halal kitchen, which prepares in-flight meals.

The company reportedly spent some ¥60 million to expand its Narita International Airport premises and purchase new equipment to meet the growing demand for Halal food. Other examples abound. Signs that declare "Halal-certified" can be found in eateries and dining halls. Hijabs made from local silk can be found in Japanese stores.

1. MALAYSIA

Malaysia plays host to two of the most important annual events in the Halal industry, namely the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) and the World Halal Forum (WHF). Both play a pivotal role in building the country's reputation as the global reference and trade centre for the new mainstream Halal industry since 2003. With the government's full support and heavy involvements, Malaysia's credibility and leadership in the Halal sector is also recognized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Today, Malaysia is the leading global Halal hub with an annual export value of RM35.4 billion for Halal products, which contributes approximately 5.1% of the total exports for the country. The country provides the world's first Halal in-flight catering on board its national carrier, Malaysia Airlines. Malaysia's Halal portfolio has also expanded beyond food and beverage, venturing into various other sectors such as cosmetics, logistics, pharmaceutical and most recently, tourism. Long-term tourism initiatives will be introduced for Kuala Lumpur with the establishment of the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau according to city Mayor Datuk Mhd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz. He said the Tourism Bureau will replace the Tourism Unit of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) with a more comprehensive organization comprising representative from the city police, the Tourism and Culture Ministry, the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) as well as representatives of tourism-linked associations and stakeholders.

"The Tourism Bureau has an advisory board with the purpose of steering the bureau towards creating a more viable tourism industry [in the city]," Mhd Amin told reporters here after announcing the bureau's formation.The mayor said that the bureau, which will oversee the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Master Plan 2015-2025 announced earlier this year, is expected to eventually be self sustaining, although DBKL will provide RM16 million ($3.7 million) as initial funding. Despite decreasing numbers of Arab tourists to Malaysia due to competition from other ASEAN destinations such as Singapore, Japan and South Korea, ease of travel, accessibility and plentiful choices still see it as the highest ranking OIC travel destination.

© Business Islamica 2016