Moscow Hotel Goes “Halal” to Attract Muslim Tourists

Taroudant, Morocco- Russia joins the many popular international tourist destinations offering halal products and services to increase tourism of visitors from the Muslim world.

Due to the growing awareness for the need of Shariah compliant tourist packages and services, a hotel in Russia has launched a special “halal” service, according to AFP.

“No bacon for breakfast, a room for prayers and the Quran on your bedside table,” the same source added. “Around 70 per cent of our guests are from overseas and 13 per cent of these — or some 5,000 people — come from Muslim countries, especially Iran,” said Lyubov Shiyan, marketing director at the Aerostar hotel.

Like other tourists, Muslim travelers coming from Islamic countries have particular requirements when they choose the destination for their vacation. Among these requirements, Muslims are concerned about the availability of halal compliant foods (no pork or alcohol in food) and a clean place to pray.

“Our Muslim visitors were constantly asking for a separate prayer room or a special menu,” Shiyan said. “We wanted everyone who came here to feel at home,” she added.

Russian hotels are apparently catering to alternative visitors after Russia’s shaky relations with European countries over the Ukrainian crisis. However, they need to go through a rigorous vetting procedure before they can obtain the Halal certification by Muslim officials in Russia.

“We equipped 20 rooms out of the 308 in the hotel with a prayer mat, a basin for ritual washing and a small compass that indicates the direction of Mecca,” said Shiyan.

The hotel has reportedly reserved two separate rooms for prayers, and provides the holy Quran on the bedside of each of these rooms reserved for Muslims and an exclusive kitchen to prepare Halal food.

“Even the shampoo and soap in the rooms have been certified as halal and do not contain any animal fats or alcohol,” she added.

The world tourism industry is currently focusing on Islamic clientele due to the rising number of Muslim travelers with specific requirements.

Edited by Elisabeth Myers