Sunday, July 6, 2025
In its bid to woo the growing Muslim traveler population, Hong Kong has done its best to make itself a friendlier city to visit for Muslims. Its most visible effort has come in terms of increasing local restaurants and hotels being Halal certified. This drive is undertaken in a bid to make Muslim travelers have more options within their permissible diet while at the same time promoting Hong Kong’s culinary diversity through its favored local dishes in Halal versions.
At the heart of this transformation is the rise of halal food options, and one example is the innovative work of local entrepreneur Swadiq Khan. His halal-certified bakery, known for crafting Hong Kong-style buns like pineapple buns, sausage buns, and wife cakes, has made waves among both locals and visitors. His bakery offers a creative solution to ensure these beloved foods are made without lard, which is typically used in many traditional recipes but is prohibited in halal diets. As a Muslim businessman, Khan took the bold step of creating a space dedicated to halal food preparation, ensuring that his customers can enjoy authentic Hong Kong-style pastries while adhering to their dietary needs.
The Growth of Halal Certification in Hong Kong
The halal certification movement in Hong Kong has been steadily gaining ground. Since Mr. Khan launched his halal bakery, the number of certified eateries has surged. In fact, as of mid-2025, nearly 190 eateries in Hong Kong have received halal certification, and 60 hotels have been rated as Muslim-friendly by CrescentRating, a globally recognized halal travel authority.
This transformation is not just a culinary shift; it also represents the city’s broader commitment to inclusivity, offering Muslim travelers a welcoming environment. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has played a pivotal role in these developments by supporting the certification process and actively promoting halal services. The board has even launched an online training resource to educate tourism service providers on Muslim customs, dietary guidelines, and cultural considerations. This initiative, titled “Tips for Welcoming Muslim Travelers,” aims to deepen the understanding of the Muslim community’s needs and enhance the overall experience for Muslim visitors.
According to Becky Ip, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the knowledge provided through this training is essential for frontline tourism staff. “This enables frontline practitioners to provide Muslim visitors with thoughtful services so as to make them feel at home and welcome,” said Ip. By ensuring that tourism providers understand Muslim practices, the city is setting itself up to become a more attractive destination for Muslim tourists.
Impact on Tourism and Visitor Arrivals
These strategic changes are already showing promising results. In the first five months of 2025, visitor arrivals from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Southeast Asia—both home to large Muslim populations—exceeded 360,000. This increase is attributed to Hong Kong’s growing reputation as a Muslim-friendly destination, particularly its halal offerings and services.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board has also been actively promoting the city’s halal-friendly initiatives through seminars and partnerships with key travel influencers. By inviting international travel leaders from Muslim-majority countries to experience the city’s new offerings, the Tourism Board has ensured that the message reaches broader audiences. This has already resulted in more inbound travel from countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Middle East.
With more halal-certified establishments and a better understanding of Muslim travel needs, Hong Kong is positioning itself as an attractive alternative to other Muslim-friendly destinations in the region, such as Kuala Lumpur or Dubai. The city’s success in this space, particularly in terms of culinary adaptations and cultural awareness, could serve as a model for other non-OIC destinations looking to attract Muslim tourists.
Key Developments in Halal Tourism and Why It Matters
One of the most important developments is the growing recognition of Hong Kong in the global halal tourism market. In the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index, Hong Kong ranked in the top three among non-OIC countries, marking a significant achievement. The city was also named the “Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year” by CrescentRating. These accolades highlight the successful integration of halal services and the increasing popularity of Hong Kong among Muslim travelers.
Moreover, the halal tourism trend is becoming more mainstream, and businesses in Hong Kong are keen to cater to this demand. By ensuring that halal food and services are widely available, the city is not just improving the experience for Muslim tourists but also creating opportunities for local businesses to tap into a rapidly growing market. This approach provides a positive feedback loop: as more Muslim tourists visit, more businesses see the value in offering halal services, which in turn attracts even more visitors.
Quick Tips for Muslim Travelers to Hong Kong
- Check for Halal Certification: Before dining or booking accommodations, ensure that your chosen restaurant or hotel is halal-certified for peace of mind.
- Embrace Hong Kong’s Culinary Diversity: Hong Kong is a food lover’s paradise, and now with halal-certified eateries, you can enjoy everything from dim sum to baked goods made without lard.
- Be Mindful of Prayer Needs: Hong Kong is home to several mosques, including the Kowloon Mosque & Islamic Centre, which offers prayer spaces and services for Muslim visitors.
- Join Halal Tours: Consider booking tours that cater specifically to Muslim travelers, which may include visits to halal restaurants and other Muslim-friendly facilities.
- Stay in Muslim-Friendly Hotels: Choose accommodations rated as Muslim-friendly, ensuring that they meet your specific needs, including halal food options and prayer facilities.
Bottom Line: Hong Kong’s Commitment to Halal Tourism and the Muslim Market
Hong Kong is making remarkable strides in becoming a Muslim-friendly destination, thanks to the growing number of halal-certified businesses, culinary innovations, and cultural awareness initiatives. By focusing on halal certification and fostering a deeper understanding of Muslim customs, the city is poised to continue attracting Muslim travelers, offering them a unique and welcoming experience.
As demand for halal tourism continues to expand, Hong Kong is becoming a top Muslim traveler destination and cementing its position not only across Asia but globally. From shopping to its culture and its cuisine, the city’s openness and interest in its own market for halal tourism render this a desirable option among Muslim travelers.
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