In early November, in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Tourism Association coordinated with QUACERT Certification Center (under the Ministry of Science and Technology) to organize a survey program on "Muslim-friendly tourism".
The program evaluated the current status of 9 4 to 5 star hotels in the area, focusing on the criteria: kitchen, rooms, additional facilities such as swimming pool, gym...
The criteria are compared with national Halal standards such as TCVN 14230:2024 and TCVN 12944:2020. This is the first step in the plan to build Halal-standard tourism facilities in Quang Ninh.
Quang Ninh is also the first locality to sign a cooperation agreement with QUACERT on implementing Halal standards in tourism, opening up many opportunities for local tourism.
Speaking with Lao Dong, the leader of Muong Thanh Center Hotel (Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City) - one of the 9 hotels welcoming the survey team on "Muslim-friendly tourism", said: "The survey helps the hotel to increasingly improve the quality of service, know the hotel's advantages or shortcomings, limitations so that it can overcome and exploit more and more potential customers such as Muslims".
With its unique natural and cultural advantages and the world heritage of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh attracts much attention from the Muslim tourist market, especially from East and South Asian countries such as India, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Middle East - where visitors spend a lot of money and stay a long time.
There are currently about 2 billion people practicing Islam in the world, accounting for 25% of the global population. This is a Halal tourist stream, a potential market for Vietnamese tourism, including Quang Ninh.
It is forecasted that by 2030, global spending from Halal tourists could reach 341.1 billion USD/year, creating a great opportunity for Quang Ninh to expand its market. However, in the past 5 years, the locality has only welcomed 450,000 Muslim visitors, a modest number.
According to Mr. Mohamed Jinna, Global Halal Ambassador, to become an attractive destination for Halal tourists, Quang Ninh needs to ensure that accommodation facilities have prayer rooms, Halal-certified food and accessible services. Businesses need to proactively invest in infrastructure and train human resources who understand Islamic culture to create a friendly environment.
The recent visit of the Chairman of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Halal Certification Center and partners has opened up opportunities for economic, trade and investment cooperation in the Halal tourism service industry in Quang Ninh.
Promoting the Halal market not only contributes to the development of the tourism industry but also implements the Project "Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam's Halal industry by 2030" issued by the Government on February 14, 2023, in Decision No. 10/QD-TTg.
This is a sustainable strategy for Quang Ninh to affirm its position as a leading destination in the eyes of international tourists.
