Hong Kong is making strides to cater to the growing Muslim-friendly tourism market by introducing a comprehensive accreditation system for hotels and tourist attractions. This initiative, led by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), is designed to complement the city’s existing halal restaurant certifications and enhance the overall travel experience for Muslim visitors.
The new system, evaluated by CrescentRating—a consultancy specializing in the Muslim travel sector—certifies hotels and attractions based on a range of criteria aimed at meeting the needs of Muslim travelers. Hotels are graded on a scale of one to seven, with three being the minimum score for meeting essential Muslim-friendly requirements. These include features such as Qibla direction signage, nearby mosque listings, and halal food options.
Among the notable hotels, the Ocean Park Marriott Hotel and Kowloon Shangri-La received a top score of five, in part due to their halal-certified kitchens. Attractions are similarly rated as bronze, silver, or gold, with top-tier locations like Ocean Park and Ngong Ping 360 earning gold status for their inclusive amenities, including ablution facilities and Muslim-friendly restrooms.
Becky Ip Ching-tak, Deputy Executive Director of HKTB, explained that the goal of the accreditation is to make Hong Kong a more accessible and welcoming destination for Muslim travelers. “Consumers as travelers have a lot of touchpoints, such as restaurants and hotels,” Ip said, emphasizing the board’s commitment to enhancing the Muslim travel experience.
A standout addition to Hong Kong’s Muslim-friendly offerings is Chinesology, the city’s first halal-certified fine-dining Chinese restaurant, located in the IFC Mall. To obtain its halal certification, Chinesology underwent significant operational changes, including investing in new kitchen equipment and sourcing halal-certified ingredients. The restaurant now offers 20 halal dishes, such as a beef-based version of char siu, blending traditional Chinese cuisine with modern dietary needs.
This initiative aligns with the existing halal restaurant certifications from the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, which ensures that food preparation adheres strictly to halal standards. With these new developments, Hong Kong is positioning itself as a leading destination for Muslim travelers seeking convenience, inclusivity, and authenticity.
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