Multicultural tourism must be explored

 

A WEALTH of information on the benefits to be derived from multicultural tourism was shared on Thursday during the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s State of the Industry Conference.
 
The session featured presentations on the Jewish, Hispanic, African American and the Halal Markets.
 
The experts leading the discussion examined travel and spending patterns, likes, dislikes and expectations, and how best to reach and retain these unfamiliar market segments.
 
Multicultural tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel and tourism industry, estimated to be a US90 billion plus market. Established groups within this segment – Ethnic, cultural, religious and special interest – continue to grow, while new ones such as the Halal market, are fast emerging.
 
Director of Serendipity Tailormade & Luxury Halal Travel, Nabeel Shariff told the packed session that Muslims throughout history have been epic travellers and are always looking for travel experiences. He stressed that it is a market that can’t be ignored and assured that it is his personal agenda to make the Caribbean the next place for Muslims to go to, recognising that they currently travel to the East for their holiday.
 
The entrepreneur noted that a number of hotels around the world are buying into Halal, recognising that it is commercially viable.
 
He stressed that “Generation M” of Mipsters (Muslim hipsters) are the fastest growing sector in the world, which includes young, affluent, professional Muslims who are ready to travel and have the means to do so.
 
Shariff explained that Halal friendly travel offers the Muslim traveller experiences which enable him or her to consciously maintain one or several aspects of their faith. Halal food, which means “permissible” refers to animals that can be slaughtered in a Halal method, which includes saying a prayer over the animal before it loses its life as well the actual process of preparing the food.
 
Halal travel would therefore include food preparation, prayer facilities, non alcohol environment, and offer Muslim friendly activities, recognising the privacy required particularly for Muslim women. (JH)

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000