The world’s first-ever international conference exploring halal tourism has confirmed its expert speaker line-up for its inaugural event next month.
The Halal Tourism Conference 2014, which is being held in Spain in the next three weeks, has created a diverse speaker line-up from around the globe to discuss the opportunities and challenges that halal tourism presents for the industry.
With a market capitalisation of $140 billion in 2013 and increasing year-by-year, halal tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the industry
Speakers now include renowned hoteliers, tourism ministers, halal tourism experts and global marketing specialists.
“The Halal Tourism Conference 2014 is really excited to announce the speakers joining the fantastic line-up,” said Tasneem Mahmood, Director of CM Media, who are organising the event.
“We have put together a very diverse line-up who will really set out the agenda during the two-day conference. These are provocative thought leaders which will give our delegates a complete look at the halal tourism industry.
“It will also provide the perfect opportunity for those who attend to facilitate business partnerships and knowledge sharing.”
Esthy Reko Astuty, Director General of Tourism Marketing, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Republic of Indonesia, who will also speak at the event, said: “Halal Tourism conference is a perfect forum to network with all the international key people in halal tourism industry and to turn the world’s attention towards Indonesia as the top of mind Muslim friendly destination.
“Indonesia aims at tapping this lucrative and fast growing market. As a country with the largest Muslim population in the world and the world’s biggest archipelago with beautiful nature, rich arts and culture, Indonesia offers a warm welcome and unique hospitality to Muslim travellers.”
Other speakers at the event include:
• Zulkifly MD Said, Director General Islamic Tourism Centre, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia,
• Hotel experts Chris Nader, Vice President, Development, Shaza Hotels, an affiliate of Kempinski Hotels and Hani Lashin, Group General Manager, Al Jawhara Group of Hotels
• Fazal Bahardeen, Founder of Islamic hospitality ratings agency Crescentrating
• Elnur Seyidli, co-founder of HalalBooking.com,
• Rafi-Uddin Shikoh, CEO and Managing Director of Islamic industry research experts DinarStandard
• Anas Kasak, Director of global marketing agency McCann Reach.
The two-day event, which is being sponsored by Turkish Airlines, will host around 500 delegates and exhibitors from the Middle East, Far East and Europe including those currently active in halal tourism and countries looking for help to break into this sector.
It includes tourism boards, tour agencies, tour operators, restaurants, media, hotels and airlines. The event will also feature seminars from industry experts, workshops, networking sessions and an exhibition
The event, which is being hosted in Andalucia, Spain, aims to equip countries with market intelligence, industry forecasts and trends to understand how to market to the lucrative Muslim consumer and benefit commercially.
The Halal Tourism Conference is being held on 22 and 23 September 2014, hosted in Andalucia, Spain.
The conference will also see the launch of the Muslim Travel Index Europe 2014 which uses travel research from residents from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Malaysian residents.
The Travel Index Europe 2014 looks at the attitudes and behaviour of majority Muslim populations to tourism in the future and their experiences of countries they have already visited in Europe.
The Halal Tourism Conference will be followed by a two day tour of the region of Andalucia to provide businesses with a live case study of a region that is becoming more Muslim friendly and is actively working to meet the needs of Muslim travellers.
For more information on the event including how to attend as a delegate or a sponsor please visit the website:www.htc2014.com
