Halal tourism on the rise; UAE nationals highest spenders followed by Saudis, Kuwaitis

News Network
September 5, 2018

Amidst the growing the Muslim population, the rise of middle class in Muslim-majority countries and improved access to travel information and the increasing availability of Muslim-friendly travel services, Halal tourism is now gaining tremendous traction across the world. A considerable number of Muslim travellers are focusing more on the “halalness” of the trip.

The Muslim travel market was worth $169 billion in 2016 and is growing by $10 billion a year since 2014, at nearly double the rate of the global travel market, according to the State of the Global Islamic Economy 2017/18 report produced by Thomson Reuters in collaboration with DinarStandard. Muslim spend on outbound travel is expected to grow by 9 percent per year to reach $283 billion by 2022.

A new study has revealed that UAE residents are the world's highest spenders of halal tourism outside the country, spending Dh64.6 billion ($17.6 billion) last year.

According to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry analysis based on recent data from Mastercard and the World Travel & Tourism Council, Saudi Arabian travellers were ranked second with Dh59 billion spend followed by Kuwaiti travellers at Dh38.17 billion during the same year.

The study's findings revealed that the global Muslim travel segment is currently valued at an estimated Dh660.6 billion and is forecast to reach Dh807.4 billion by 2020. The number of Muslim travellers globally is expected to increase from the current 131 million to 156 million by the same year.

During 2017, Muslim travellers spent an estimated average of Dh5,042 per person and this figure is projected to increase to Dh5,174.7 by 2020.

Majid Saif Al Ghurair, chairman, Dubai Chamber and board member of Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC), said halal tourism is one of the main pillars supporting the continued growth of the global Islamic economy.

Jairaj Gorsia, general manager, Gevora Hotel, the world's tallest and dry hotel located on Sheikh Zayed Road, says Muslims tourists, especially from Saudi Arabia, continue to grow. The hotel receives a large number of guests, especially families, from Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries because it is a Shariah-compliant property.

"Families prefer to stay in non-alcoholic hotels because of their religious beliefs and where they can enjoy activities without being exposed. Halal tourism is a big market in the region and it's going pretty strong. Plus, halal hotels' pricing is also right and attractive for customers," said Gorsia.

In order to cash in on the growing halal market, Dubai will host the Global Islamic Economy Summit 2018 on October 30 and 31. In addition, Dubai also hosts the Halal Expo.

The UAE was recently named as a destination of choice for Muslim travellers due to several key factors, including its competitive business environment, wide variety of travel and tourism activities, advanced ICT readiness and world-class airport infrastructure.

 

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News Network
November 11,2024

Mangaluru: Six youths including teenagers have been arrested by the Bantwal Rural Police in connection with a brutal assault on 21-year-old Aboobakar (name changed to hide identity), an incident that was widely shared on social media after footage revealed the victim tied to a pole and violently beaten.

The arrested individuals, all from Kanchinadkapadavu, Sajipanadu village in Ullal Taluk, have been identified as Mohammad Sapwan (25), Mohammad Rizwan (25), Irfan (27), Anis Ahmad (19), Nasir (27), and Shakeer (18). According to police reports, the assault took place on November 7 in Kanchinadkapadavu.

The sequence of events began when Aboobakar was reportedly called to a residence in Kanchinadkapadavu by a female relative. Upon his arrival, he was confronted by the accused, who questioned his presence, tied him to a pole with ropes, and attacked him while he was shirtless. 

Aboobakar managed to file a police complaint the following day, detailing the assault. As his injuries worsened, he was admitted to a private hospital in Mangaluru.

While in the hospital, Aboobakar alleged that his attackers intended to kill him during the assault. This statement led to additional charges of attempted murder being filed. 

Police officials stated that the suspects were subsequently apprehended, charged with group assault and attempted murder, and placed in judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited.

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News Network
November 14,2024

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday backed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over his claim that the BJP had offered Rs 50 crore each to 50 Congress MLAs in an attempt to "topple" the state government.

Addressing reporters here, Shivakumar, also the Congress state president, said, “The BJP indeed lured 50 Congress MLAs with Rs 50 crore each.”

He defended Siddaramaiah’s statement and said the Congress MLAs were briefed about the BJP’s alleged 'Operation Lotus', a term used to describe the BJP's attempts to destabilise ruling governments through horse-trading.

“Some of our MLAs informed the Chief Minister about this matter, and he, in turn, shared it with the media,” Shivakumar said.

At an event in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah reiterated the claim that "none of the Congress MLAs had accepted the offer".

He also accused the BJP of filing false cases against him in a bid to "remove him and overthrow his government".

The BJP has yet to respond to the allegations.

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News Network
November 14,2024

srirang.jpg

Bengaluru: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi led union government has requested the Karnataka High Court to direct the Mandya district administration and the state government to clear a madrasa operating within the premises of the historic Jama Masjid in Srirangapatna.

The Waqf Board, opposing this move, has claimed the mosque as its property and defended the right to conduct madrasa activities there.

The matter was brought before a division bench headed by Chief Justice N V Anjaria following a public interest litigation filed by a person named Abhishek Gowda from Kabbalu village in Kanakapura taluk. The petition alleged “unauthorised madrasa activities” within the mosque.

Representing the Central government, Additional Solicitor General of India for High Court of Karnataka, K Arvind Kamath argued that the Jama Masjid was designated as a protected monument in 1951, yet unauthorised madrasa operations continue there.

He noted that concerns over potential law and order issues have so far prevented any intervention. Kamath urged the court to direct the Mandya district administration to take action and vacate the madrasa from the mosque.

In defence, lawyers for the state government and the Waqf Board contested this request, stating that the Waqf Board had been recognised as the owner of the property since 1963 and, thus, conducting madrasa activities there is lawful.

After hearing both sides, the bench adjourned the case for further arguments, scheduling the next hearing for November 20.

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