BUSINESS TOURISM HALAAL IN THE CITY WAS RANKED AS THE 4th BEST TRAVEL DESTINATION FOR MUSLIM TRAVELLERS IN THE 2017 GLOBAL MUSLIM TRAVEL INDEX. EUGENE YIGA SPOKE TO ENVER DUMINY, CEO OF CAPE TOWN TOURISM, TO FIND OUT HOW THE CITY IS CATERING TO TRAVELLERS OF THE ISLAMIC FAITH.

ith one out of three people born between 1990 and 2030 Wadhering to the Islamic faith, it’s estimated that approximately 26% of the world’s population will be Muslim by the year 2020 (rising to 2.2 billion people by 2030). “[Global] Muslim visitor arrivals were estimated to be 121 million in 2016 and are projected to grow to 230 million by 2026,” says Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism. “The Haalal travel sector’s contribution to the global economy will be $36 billion by 2020.” PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES IMAGES/GETTY GALLO PHOTOGRAPHY:

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BIG POTENTIAL Cape Town has a rich Muslim history and Halaal clients so it was informative,” he heritage, with the Cape Malay Muslims says of the experience. “You can cook WHAT TO EAT making up around a quarter of the city’s whatever you like to cook, just following Celebratory feasts population. And given that 75% of Muslim a few guidelines, like working in separate are entrenched in travel is for leisure, Duminy sees the areas and making sure there’s no cross- the Cape Town food potential for the city to capitalise on contamination. So it’s feasible to execute culture, and Cape this growth. this type of food in any operation.” Malay cuisine is as “We did research to understand the The second phase of the Cape Town popular with Muslim current status of the service and facilities Tourism initiative involved educating local visitors as it is with offered by travel and tourism players in stakeholders about the Muslim travel all tourists. Cape Town targeting the Muslim traveller,” market and the needs of the Muslim Top certified Halaal he says. traveller. CrescentRating’s workshops restaurants include The results showed that most helped increase competencies and skills 126 Cape Kitchen & Cafe respondents agreed that attracting and a list of guidelines now helps service www.126ckc.com, Muslim tourists would help Cape Town providers understand key terms to better Saray Restaurant as a destination but don’t have a clear navigate this tourist segment. www.saray.co.za and understanding of the market with only a “South Africa is ranked the fifth Gold Restaurant basic understanding of Halaal concepts. friendliest Halaal destination in the world www.goldrestaurant.co.za “More than 80% of the survey and we’re the fifth largest exporter of which serves Muslim- respondents mentioned that having Halaal products globally,” Duminy says. friendly dining options Why Halaal food options at a destination “Wy wouldn’t we want to be a part of (they do serve alcohol). is very important when choosing a that?”. holiday,” Duminy says. “But there is major confusion about Halaal food and the use of the term ‘Halaal-friendly’ food.” WHAT TO SEE AND DO INVESTING IN TRAINING Bo-Kaap is one of many predominantly Muslim communities Enter Cape Town Tourism who organised that loves to welcome visitors to Cape Town. There are many the first ever Halaal Chef Exchange accredited tour operators. Some deal exclusively with the Programme in conjunction with Muslim market, while others can customise the tours. Islamic CrescentRating. Two accomplished chefs Travel & Tours specialises in packaged tours with four- and five- from Singapore trained 40 local chefs to day tours of Cape Town for the Muslim market. prepare gourmet Halaal cuisine. The top Visit www.islamictravelsandtours.co.za 20 chefs also participated in a practical cooking demonstration and competition, with the two chefs winning a trip to Singapore. MOSQUES, KRAMATS AND PRAYER ROOMS “We got invites to this programme and The Auwal Mosque, built in 1794, and the Palm Tree Mosque, there was excitement of winning prizes established in 1807 are the two oldest in Cape Town. The and learning about Halaal cuisine,” recalls city offers prayer rooms in major centres including the V&A winner Tamsyn Wells, Executive Chef at Waterfront, Cavendish Square and Canal Walk. You’ll also find 15 on Orange Hotel. “We’re getting a lot prayer rooms at Cape Town International Airport and the Cape of Muslim tourists in the hotel and I often Town International Convention Centre. have to cater to their needs.” There are also a number of Kramats, known collectively as Through the training, Wells learned the Circle of Saints or the Ring of Kramats, which can be found that Halaal food can be “made any way as around the city. They run from to Faure, just outside long as you use the correct ingredients”. , where the Cape Town’s well known ones can be Dion Vengatass, Chef de Cuisine at the found: the shrine of Sheikh Yusuf, considered the father of Islam Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, had similar in the Cape. breakthroughs. The Cape Mazaar Society is custodian of the Western Cape Kramats and offers Kramat “I knew a little bit about catering for Tours tailored to suit your Cape Town itinerary. www.capemazaarsociety.com

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