Why is Azerbaijan developing Halal tourism and increasing the number of Halal restaurants?

Tourism has become one of Azerbaijan's main economic pillars, contributing 4.5% to GDP, with more than 2 million foreign tourists received each year, and increasing numbers from Muslim countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, etc.). Therefore, the country is considering developing Halal tourism consistent with Halal laws and traditions to increase the number of tourists from Muslim countries.

What conditions must Halal-standard restaurants in Azerbaijan meet?

According to an Azerbaijan Tourism Association advisor, Halal-standard restaurants should have a separate swimming pool and prayer rooms for men and women, should have no alcoholic beverages, and food should be prepared according to Halal standards. However, implementing these standards is not mandatory, and building such restaurants requires additional investment, so it is not easy. Azerbaijan adopted the 'Tourism Services, Halal Management System, Hotels' standard to increase tourists from Muslim countries.

Azerbaijan Increases the Number of Halal Restaurants

As can be seen from the large number of visitors this year, tourism has become one of the main economic sectors of Azerbaijan (located in the southeastern Transcaucasus, part of Asia, with a focus on developing the oil industry). Azerbaijan's tourism industry is developing rapidly, contributing 4.5% to the national GDP. The country receives more than 2 million foreign tourists each year, plus many domestic tourist visits.

Speaking of tourists, it is impossible to avoid the growing number of tourists from Muslim countries. Due to the influx of Muslim guests, the country is now considering developing Halal tourism, a category of tourism consistent with Halal laws and traditions.

Muzaffer Agakarimov, advisor to the chairman of the Azerbaijan Tourism Association (AzTA), said that due to the increase in the number of newly built restaurants, the number of restaurants in Azerbaijan meeting Halal standards is likely to increase.

Agakarimov said: 'Halal standards have already been applied in some restaurants in Azerbaijan—there should be a separate swimming pool and prayer rooms for men and women. In restaurants using Halal standards, there should be no alcoholic beverages, and food should be prepared according to Halal standards. In the future, when some new restaurants are built, some entrepreneurs can establish their own Halal-standard configured facilities. Entrepreneurs need additional investment to build these types of restaurants, so implementing these standards is not so easy. The application of Halal standards in restaurants is related to the influx of tourists from Halal countries.'

However, Agakarimov believes that implementing Halal standards is not mandatory. He said: 'If any hotel wants to operate on the basis of these standards, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Tourism Association can help the hotels in this area.'

The 'Tourism Services, Halal Management System, Hotels' standard adopted in Azerbaijan this year aims to increase the number of tourists from Muslim countries to Azerbaijan.

Statistics show that the current number of Muslim tourists is 108 million and will reach 150 million by 2020.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan has recently become a favorite tourist destination for many Arabs. They mainly come from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Iraq. The close distance from Azerbaijan to their countries is one of the main reasons for the large increase in tourists.

A 2016 GMTI survey of 130 tourist destinations showed that Azerbaijan ranked 20th among OIC countries.

The country's unparalleled historical and cultural heritage, along with Halal services, enable Azerbaijan to enter the list of Muslim holiday destinations. In Azerbaijan, where modernity and wisdom meet Halal regulations and modern culture, Muslim tourists can have an unforgettable experience.

Meanwhile, GMTI will hold Azerbaijan's 24th Halal Tourism Exhibition this year.

FAQ

Why is Azerbaijan developing Halal tourism and increasing the number of Halal restaurants?: Tourism has become one of Azerbaijan's main economic pillars, contributing 4.5% to GDP, with more than 2 million foreign tourists received each year, and increasing numbers from Muslim countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, etc.). Therefore, the country is considering developing Halal tourism consistent with Halal laws and traditions to increase the number of tourists from Muslim countries.
What conditions must Halal-standard restaurants in Azerbaijan meet?: According to an Azerbaijan Tourism Association advisor, Halal-standard restaurants should have a separate swimming pool and prayer rooms for men and women, should have no alcoholic beverages, and food should be prepared according to Halal standards. However, implementing these standards is not mandatory, and building such restaurants requires additional investment, so it is not easy. Azerbaijan adopted the 'Tourism Services, Halal Management System, Hotels' standard to increase tourists from Muslim countries.

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