The Halal In Travel Global Summit 2024, hosted by CrescentRating, took place from May 28th to May 30th in Singapore. This premier event has grown into a pivotal platform for discussions and advancements in Halal tourism. With this year’s theme, "Innovate, Integrate, Ignite: Trailblazing the Halal Tourism Frontier," the summit emphasized creativity, collaboration, and inspiration as the driving forces behind the evolving Halal travel industry. Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of CrescentRating and HalalTrip, delivered an insightful keynote session, unveiling the RIDA Framework, a strategic model poised to revolutionize Muslim travel experiences.
Bahardeen commenced his address by acknowledging the significance of this fourth edition of the summit, marking a historic milestone in the journey that began 15 years ago. He emphasized the importance of innovation, which lies at the heart of their mission to unlock opportunities in the Muslim travel market. This approach aims to benefit Muslim travelers, local communities, and service providers alike, fostering interactions that enhance cultural understanding and appreciation.
Reflecting on the summit’s evolution, Bahardeen recounted its humble beginnings during the pandemic in July 2021. Since then, it has grown into the premier platform for discussing and shaping the future of Halal tourism. This year’s event promises to explore new ideas and technologies reshaping the Halal travel landscape, from digital enhancements to sustainable practices, ensuring that innovation meets the needs of today’s Muslim travelers while anticipating future demands.
A highlight of Bahardeen’s speech was the introduction of the RIDA Framework. RIDA is designed to enhance the travel experiences of Muslim tourists while adhering to their faith-based needs. The framework integrates core principles of responsible tourism with the latest technological advancements, aligning with broader industry trends toward digitization and personalized services.
Inspired by the Arabic word "rida," meaning contentment and satisfaction, the RIDA Framework ensures a comprehensive approach to all aspects of travel. The RIDA Framework offers a comprehensive approach to Muslim travel, encompassing four key dimensions: Responsible, Immersive, Digital, and Assured.
This holistic model addresses the evolving needs of Muslim travelers, providing a blueprint for destinations and service providers to optimize their offerings. By embracing the RIDA Framework, destinations, and service providers can cater effectively to the evolving needs of Muslim travelers, fostering a more inclusive, enriching, and sustainable Halal travel industry.
Over the first two days of the summit, various themes critical to the future of Halal tourism were explored. Discussions on responsible tourism highlighted the importance of building sustainable destinations while balancing ethics, the environment, and profit. Workshops on cultural stewardship and community engagement underscored the necessity of supporting local communities and preserving cultural heritage.
Sessions dedicated to immersive and authentic travel experiences examined how to develop engaging experiences for Muslim travelers, including integrating immersive gastronomy into travel. Technology and personalization were also focal points, with discussions on the role of AI in enhancing and personalizing travel experiences. An expert panel addressed ethical considerations in developing AI systems, ensuring that advancements align with the values of the Halal travel industry.
The third day of the summit featured a series of exciting events, culminating in the release of the ninth edition of the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI). This comprehensive report provides invaluable insights and data on the Muslim travel market, guiding destinations and businesses to understand the preferences and needs of Muslim travelers. The partnership between MasterCard and CrescentRating exemplifies a decade-long commitment to providing comprehensive data and in-depth insights for the Muslim lifestyle market.
Bahardeen shared promising projections for the Muslim travel market, highlighting its growth trajectory. In 2022, total Muslim international arrivals reached 110 million, representing 68% of pre-pandemic levels. This recovery continued into 2023, with arrivals climbing to 145 million, constituting 90% of 2019 levels. By 2024, the market is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels, reaching an estimated 165 to 168 million arrivals. Looking further ahead, by 2028, Muslim international arrivals are projected to reach 230 million, accompanied by an estimated expenditure of USD 225 billion.
The summit also celebrated the contributions of individuals and organizations to the Halal travel industry. The fourth edition of Halal Trip 40 recognized inspiring Muslims who have made significant contributions to the community. Additionally, the third edition of the Halal In Travel Awards honored destinations, organizations, companies, and individuals who have made remarkable impacts on the Muslim lifestyle travel market.
In closing, Bahardeen encouraged attendees to actively participate, ask questions, and share insights. He emphasized that collective wisdom and collaboration are essential to paving the way for a more inclusive, innovative, and vibrant Halal travel industry. Extending heartfelt thanks to attendees from over 30 countries, esteemed speakers, media, and sponsors such as Spain Tourism and Salam Taiwan, he underscored the strategic importance of long-term partnerships, particularly with MasterCard.
The future of Halal travel looks bright. Fazal Bahardeen shared promising projections, highlighting the market's recovery and growth trajectory. Muslim international arrivals are expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2024, reaching an estimated 165 to 168 million. By 2028, the market is projected to reach 230 million arrivals, with an expenditure of US$225 billion.
The Halal in Travel Global Summit 2024 served as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation. By embracing the RIDA Framework and harnessing the collective wisdom of industry stakeholders, the future of Halal tourism promises to be inclusive, enriching, and economically vibrant.
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