Today there are many opportunities in the tourism industry that, with study and appropriate planning, can be used in the form of a halal tourism product or service. The noteworthy point is that such opportunities are not exclusively for Muslims; for example, there are areas of halal travel that are also suitable for non-Muslims. According to the GMTI report, the number of Muslim travelers is forecast to reach 230 million people in 2028 and to bring 225 billion dollars in turnover.
On this basis, the aim of the present article is to identify the innovative business opportunities that exist in the halal tourism industry and in halal travel, which can be used by entrepreneurs in this field.
Halal tourism
Halal tourism has been defined as anything or any act that is permissible for use and participation in the tourism industry according to Islamic teachings. The purpose and reason for travel in halal tourism is not necessarily religious beliefs; it can also relate to tourism motives.
Recently other terms have become current in the Muslim travel market in connection with halal tourism, among which one can mention halal travel, Islamic travel, Muslim-friendly tourism and halal destination. Most of these terms are used to meet Muslim tourism needs, but some of these concepts and the behaviors arising from them have also been observed in non-Muslim countries such as Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Halal entrepreneurship
Halal entrepreneurship was founded by the halal food industries, and then halal entrepreneurs expanded into other products and services such as banking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and tourism. At present the global halal market, including halal tourism, ranks among the fastest-growing markets, which has provided a good environment for entrepreneurs. The concept of halal was once treated as an exclusively religious matter, but this concept has now become a branding platform for entrepreneurs to expand their products and services globally.
Thus halal entrepreneurship is one aspect of entrepreneurship in which the concept of halal is considered as an entrepreneurial process for the innovative exploitation of opportunities to achieve economic return and social justice. Between halal tourism and halal entrepreneurship there is a reciprocal relationship with many opportunities that can be considered by entrepreneurs for investment.
Innovative entrepreneurial opportunities in halal tourism
Innovation has been defined as one of the tools for achieving sustainable growth and as a process for the effective and profitable transfer of new ideas to customers in order to satisfy them. Innovative opportunities play a role in creating competitive advantages for new ventures entering the market. In addition, one of the vital stages in entrepreneurship is exploiting opportunities to create a new venture; therefore, innovative opportunities allow new ventures to enter the market successfully.
The role of halal entrepreneurs is to exploit innovative opportunities among the opportunities that exist in the halal tourism industry and to introduce new products and services with new value propositions that meet the needs of Muslim and even non-Muslim travelers. Halal entrepreneurs must also make this investment within a framework that complies with Sharia (Islamic law).
Accordingly, there are various innovative opportunities that can attract the attention of halal entrepreneurs for creating new products and services in the halal tourism industry. Some of these opportunities include digital platforms, Generation Alpha, cryptocurrency, sustainable products and services, services preferred by Muslim women, culinary tourism, three-dimensional printing, virtual reality and augmented reality, each of which we will explain below.
Digital platforms
Halal entrepreneurs can offer a new digital platform that personalizes everything for Muslim travelers. They should look for user-friendly applications that allow the customer to share everything. One possible digital platform that needs more attention from halal entrepreneurs is digitally oriented Umrah and Hajj. This platform can include interactive learning tools to teach Muslim pilgrims how to perform the rites of Umrah and Hajj correctly and enable them to share their experiences. Among other opportunities in this field one can mention digital platform-building for halal travel and food.
Generation Alpha
Generation Alpha includes children born after 2010. These individuals are the most transformed generation that has ever come into existence and have been fully immersed in technology from birth. Generation Alpha plays a fundamental role in determining their family's travel choices and destinations. Halal entrepreneurs should prepare to meet Generation Alpha's needs when traveling. By offering suitable customized educational activities and programs during travel, as well as special family offers, halal entrepreneurs can bring satisfaction to Generation Alpha and their families.
Cryptocurrency
Muslim investors, because of compatibility, awareness and facilitating conditions, are eager to invest in the Bitcoin market; therefore, halal entrepreneurs should use the creativity, transparency and reliability of their core decentralized technologies in this direction.
Sustainable products and services
Future travelers, especially young travelers, prioritize destinations and companies that are able to provide quality services while being environmentally sustainable and culturally respectful. Travelers are also willing to pay a premium to enjoy their travel experience and in order to prevent damage to the environment. Muslims, as responsible global citizens, pay attention to the positive impact of sustainable tourism; therefore, halal tourism will be a good innovative opportunity to draw attention to the environment, climate, culture, art and so on.
Services preferred by Muslim women
Muslim women make up 45 percent of the Muslim travel market. There are various innovative opportunities that can be used as new products and services to meet the specific needs of this group. Muslim women, regardless of the group they belong to, act in a very powerful and informed way in planning travel; therefore, halal entrepreneurs should pay more attention to the services needed and preferred by Muslim women.
Culinary tourism
Halal food is easily accessible in many destinations for hosting Muslim travelers; therefore, service providers should adjust their cooking methods and ingredients in a way that is Muslim-friendly. New advances and innovations in the food and beverage sector and the creation of halal cuisine are a good innovative opportunity for halal entrepreneurs.
Three-dimensional printing
Three-dimensional printing technology has today attracted attention as one of the appealing industries, and we are seeing considerable growth of it in production systems. Product customization is among the most important advantages of three-dimensional printing, which allows the customer to modify the product without extra cost. Three-dimensional printing technology is considered an innovative opportunity in the tourism industry, but less attention has been paid to it. In the halal space this technology can be used in preparing artificial foods, involving tourists in producing and preparing souvenirs, and similar cases.
Virtual reality and augmented reality
Virtual reality and augmented reality in halal tourism can be used for various purposes, including enhancing Muslim tourists' experience of Hajj and Umrah (especially for those experiencing this pilgrimage for the first time). Virtual reality can also be a good tool for exploring Muslim heritage and making virtual visits to Muslim tourist sites during crises such as COVID and travel restrictions at the global level.
Conclusion
This text provides new prospects for halal entrepreneurs that enable them to start new investments in the halal tourism industry. The findings of this article can help tourism service providers and halal entrepreneurs introduce and develop halal tourism products and services to meet the needs of Muslim travelers.
Given the considerable increase in startup and novel activities in the tourism field in the country, attention to the topics mentioned and the entrepreneurial opportunities in this field that have been referred to in the present article can generate good ideas for those active in this sector.
Machine-translated from Persian by Namafar; the Persian original is authoritative. Read the original in Persian