Hong Kong Welcomes Muslim Travelers with New Accreditation System

Hong Kong is taking significant strides to become a more welcoming destination for Muslim travelers with the launch of a comprehensive accreditation system for hotels and tourist attractions. This initiative, spearheaded by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), aims to complement the city’s existing halal restaurant certifications and ensure a more inclusive travel experience for visitors adhering to Islamic dietary laws and cultural practices.

Expanding Beyond Restaurants: A Holistic Approach to Halal Tourism

“Consumers as travellers… have a lot of [other] touchpoints; for example, restaurants and hotels,” said Becky Ip Ching-tak, HKTB Deputy Executive Director. Recognizing this, the board is actively encouraging more partners to participate in the new program, ultimately enhancing Hong Kong’s accessibility for Muslim travelers.

The accreditation process, overseen by CrescentRating, a renowned Singapore-based consultancy specializing in the Muslim travel market, rigorously evaluates hotel and attraction offerings. Hotels are graded on a scale of one to seven, with a minimum score of three required to be classified as Muslim-friendly. Key criteria include the availability of Qibla directions, listings of nearby mosques, and halal breakfast options.

Taking inclusivity a step further, the Ocean Park Marriott Hotel and Kowloon Shangri-La achieved the highest rating of five, demonstrating their commitment to halal-certified kitchens, offering Muslim guests a wider selection of dining choices.

From Bronze to Gold: Recognizing Excellence in Halal Hospitality

Tourist attractions, on the other hand, are ranked bronze, silver, or gold based on the extent of their provisions for Muslim visitors. Gold-certified destinations, such as the iconic Ocean Park and the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, go above and beyond by providing ablution facilities and Muslim-friendly toilets, ensuring comfort and convenience for travelers seeking to observe Islamic practices.

Elevated Dining: Chinesology Pioneers Halal Fine Dining

The new accreditation system complements the existing halal restaurant certifications provided by the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, reinforcing the city’s commitment to high-quality halal dining options. This commitment is further exemplified by the emergence of Chinesology, Hong Kong’s first halal-friendly fine-dining Chinese restaurant, located in the vibrant IFC Mall.

“Achieving certification required significant operational changes, such as purchasing new equipment and sourcing halal-certified ingredients,” noted Saito Chau Sai-to, the restaurant’s culinary director.

Chinesology’s menu proudly showcases twenty halal dishes, reflecting a harmonious blend of Chinese culinary traditions and a deep understanding of diverse cultural needs. A prime example is their innovative take on char siu, where beef beautifully replaces pork, offering a delicious halal alternative to this classic dish.

A Welcoming Future for Muslim Travelers in Hong Kong

Through this comprehensive accreditation system, Hong Kong is actively demonstrating its dedication to welcoming Muslim travelers with open arms. By broadening the scope of halal accommodations beyond restaurants, the city is paving the way for a more inclusive and enriching travel experience, ensuring that visitors from all backgrounds feel welcomed and valued.

What are the benefits of Hong Kong’s new ‍accreditation system for​ Muslim travelers?

## Hong Kong Opens Its Doors⁣ Wider to ⁢Muslim Travelers

**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show! Today ‌we’re discussing Hong Kong’s exciting new initiative to attract Muslim travelers.​ Joining‌ us is [Guest Name],⁢ a seasoned travel ‍writer specializing in halal tourism. [Guest Name], thanks for being here.

**Guest:** ⁢Thank you for having​ me.

**Interviewer:** Hong Kong is⁢ known for its vibrant culture and bustling cityscape. But it seems like they’re taking steps to be more‌ inclusive, particularly for Muslim travelers. Can⁤ you tell us about this new ⁣accreditation system?

**Guest:**⁤ Absolutely!‌ It’s a fantastic development. The Hong Kong Tourism ⁤Board, recognizing the growing Muslim travel market, has partnered with‌ CrescentRating, ‌a‍ leading authority in halal travel,‍ to create a comprehensive accreditation system for hotels and tourist attractions.

**Interviewer:**‌ So it’s not just‍ about halal ⁢restaurants anymore?

**Guest:** Exactly! This system⁣ goes a step further, ⁣ensuring a more holistic and⁢ welcoming experience for Muslim visitors. [[1](https://www.klook.com/en-SG/blog/muslim-friendly-travel-hong-kong/)]mentions‌ that Ocean Park Hong Kong already offers prayer rooms and facilities. This accreditation formalized these efforts and extends them ⁤to other aspects of a ⁤traveler’s experience.

**Interviewer:** Can you elaborate on how the system works?

**Guest:** Hotels are graded on⁢ a scale of one to seven, with a⁢ minimum score of three required to ⁤receive the “Muslim-Friendly” badge. This involves providing essentials like Qibla direction indicators, information on nearby mosques, and halal breakfast options.

**Interviewer:** That’s very thoughtful! What about⁣ the ⁤tourist attractions?

**Guest:** Attractions are ranked⁣ bronze, silver, or gold ⁣based ⁢on their Muslim-friendly facilities and⁢ services.‌ Think of things like prayer ⁤rooms, dedicated halal food stalls, and multilingual signage.

**Interviewer:** This is⁣ truly ⁤encouraging to see. How do you think this initiative will impact Muslim‌ travelers’ perception of Hong Kong?

**Guest:**⁢ I believe it will make Hong Kong ⁣an even more​ attractive destination ⁤for Muslim travelers. Knowing that their ‌cultural ⁤and​ dietary needs are being considered will make them feel⁣ more comfortable and⁢ welcome, encouraging them to explore everything Hong Kong has to offer.

**Interviewer:** Thank⁣ you so much for ‌shedding light on this important development, [Guest Name].

**Guest:** My pleasure.