Tourism in Hong Kong is steadily recovering from its post-pandemic low. In an effort to boost the sector, both the Hong Kong travel authorities and businesses have been trying to attract visitors from around the world. One of the target audiences they have in their sights is Muslim travellers from both Middle Eastern countries and nearby Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Common problems Muslim travellers in Hong Kong tend to face include the omnipresence of pork and cooking wine in Cantonese cuisine, as well as the lack of prayer spaces and bidet showers for washing in hotels. The former tends to force many visitors to eat the same Southeast Asian food as they have at home, and the latter causes more inconveniences. Visitors also suggested that hotels should have female-only floors and signs in Arabic.
Since last year, there have been waves of Hong Kong restaurants gaining Halal and Halal-friendly certifications, rising 80% to over 180 restaurants in the city,as well as hotels earning Muslim-friendly ratings. Many of the new entrants are higher-end establishments catering to wealthy travellers, as most of the existing restaurants serve affordable meals for the local Muslim population and migrant workers. Restaurants in Hong Kong are also innovating Cantonese dishes by replacing pork with beef and doing away with cooking wine.
Not only did officials from Hong Kong recently visit the Gulf countries to promote tourism in the city, but a delegation from the travel business in Southeast Asia also visited Hong Kong in February. With the wheels in motion, Hong Kong is gearing up to welcome more Muslim visitors in the coming days.
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