Travel Industry, News and Analytics

Turkey is a Leading Destination for Halal Tourism

Halal-friendly hotels and villas have become increasingly popular in recent years. Just like the rest of the hospitality industry, they were seriously hit by the pandemic but with the start of the vaccination programs in many countries, the hotel business might be soon recovering. A recent study asked Halal travelers about their plans, favorite destinations, and vacations in 2020. The results of the study are based on the answers of more than 2,000 people.

Surprisingly, a bit more than 50% of the surveyed people booked a Halal hotel and stayed in it at least once in 2020. German-speaking tourists were the most active travelers (64% of them were the most likely to have traveled), with Turkish tourists a bit lagging (58%). English- and French-speaking tourists were the third and fourth most active - 43% and 41% respectively.

It looks like hotels in Istanbul, Kemer or Antalya were among the most popular choices for Halal travelers. Turkey was the choice of as many as 74% of all tourists who traveled in 2020. The fast and clear actions of the Turkish government, their Safe Tourism Certification Programme, and open borders for tourists made this country a primary choice. By the way, the certification program is mandatory for all hotels with more than 30 rooms. It sets rules and standards for health and safety measures that protect both guests and hotel staff from the spread of COVID-19.

There were not many choices for a summer vacation in 2020, and so Turkey topped the safe travel lists in the UK, Germany, and other countries. In the opinion of Halal guests, Turkey was the safest destination during the pandemic and this was one of the major reasons why they picked this country. This led to the increased popularity of halal-friendly beach resorts. When asked about their plans in 2021, 62% of the respondents want to visit Turkey. Hotels in Dubai are the second-most-popular choice, followed by Morocco and the Maldives.

The respondents who didn’t travel in 2020 named restrictions and regulations the main obstacle (71% of the survey participants). Contrary to a popular opinion that people didn’t travel because of fear, quarantine requirements and other limitations were the main reasons for canceled bookings. As of January 2021, 10% of the respondents already booked a hotel for a vacation in 2021, and 65% haven’t booked yet because they are not sure about the limitations and uncertainly regarding possible travel restrictions.

Individual City Guides

Ulm travel guide

A major university center, this is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. There are many tourists here at any time of a year. People are attracted by unique places of interest, cozy restaurants and wide selection of shops. Ulm Cathedral is the main symbol of the city. The height of the main tower reaches 161 meters. This tower is considered the highest one in the world; its top is equipped with an observation deck, which features a breathtaking panorama of the city. The interior of the … Read further

Cuisine of Tenerife

An acquaintance with peculiarities of Canarian cuisine becomes one of the favorite entertainments for Tenerife guests. Perhaps the main feature of the local cuisine is a delicious malvasia wine, which has enjoyed a great popularity among foreign visitors since Shakespeare’s times. Each national restaurant usually offers a decent selection of local wines and fine drinks brought from neighboring islands. One of the most favorite tourist wineries is La Baranda located in a suburban area of … Read further

Traditions and festivals in Toronto

Toronto is a city of festivals; the whole its way of life is based on festive events. Dozens of festivals and national holidays take place here; their subjects are striking with diversity. Toronto Street Festival is especially popular among travelers. During it, a variety of fairs, exhibitions and entertainment events are held. The main celebrations take place on the Outdoor Art Exibition Toronto square; during the festival, lots of colorful tents are placed on it. Local craftsmen present … Read further

Saint-Tropez cultural sights

Tourists are recommended to start their exploration of the city landmarks and sites with the l'Hôtel-de-Ville square. Close to the square tourists will discover a remarkable historical landmark named the Suffren Palace (Le Château de Suffren) being among the oldest and most beautiful architectural constructions of the city. The age of the palace is about a thousand years. It was built in the 9th century. At present this historical construction houses a popular gift shop. A remarkable … Read further

Cambridge attractions and entertainment

The number of interesting entertainment centers in Cambridge is no less than the number of historical sites and museums. Tourists, who cannot leave without the exploration of beautiful natural places, are recommended to visit the John F. Kennedy Park. The monument of the U.S. president remains the main decoration of the picturesque park. You will also find many other beautiful sculptures there. The park is a great place for walking, various sports activities, and relaxation under the shade of … Read further

Vasteras for families and kids

For those traveling to Vasteras with their children, it is worth looking into the Vasteras Historiska Skeppsmuseum. This is an amazing historical museum in which children will be able to see a real Viking ship built of wooden boats, and typical wooden houses of locals built right above the water. In one of these houses, there is a café where visitors can enjoy a huge selection of ice cream. This open-air museum is located in the territory of a vast park. There are many beautiful and interesting … Read further

Shopping in Malta Island

One of the most popular places of shopping for tourists in Malta is the village of masters Ta Qali Crafts Village, it is here you can find the most popular folk art and choose original souvenirs. In this village, tourists can not only visit the shops but also visit the craft workshops. Incredibly beautiful glass figurines and figurines are produced In Ta Qali, the choice of key chains and decorative ornaments made of glass is simply huge here. Special attention should be paid to paintings of … Read further

Extreme and fun in Inverness

Traveling on Loch Ness Lake . The famous lake of Loch Ness is located 35 kilometers west of Inverness. You can contact the firm of Jacobite on any day of the week at any time of the year. Its staff will arrange a boat trip around the lake. You will start your journey at the Tomnahurich Bridge. It is located in the south of the city. You will sail 1 kilometer along the Caledonian Canal. After that, you will go down Loch Ness. You will see a beautiful landscape and fabulous castles during … Read further