The Singapore-based halal tourism online platform CrescentRating will launch a portal marketing Muslim-friendly tour packages at the Arabian Travel Market next week.
Islamic tourism can involve hotels, tour companies, airlines, shopping malls and airport caterers besides destinations.
The UAE ranks first in the Halal Tourism Indicator followed by Malaysia and Singapore, according to the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report released in November. It measures the family-friendliness of a country’s tourism ecosystem.
In 2013, the UAE ranked third in terms of source country of Muslim tourists based on expenditure after Saudi Arabia and Iran.
UAE tourists spent US$11.2 billion.
The overseas spending of Muslim travellers rose by 7.7 per cent in 2013 over the previous year to touch $140bn, the report said. It does not include spending during Haj and Umrah seasons. The figure is expected to reach $238bn by 2019.
The Muslim travel market share comprises 11.6 per cent of the total global travel expenditure.
The figure is expected to reach $238bn by 2019.
Called Muslim Travel Warehouse, the tourism platform will provide travel agencies with booking capabilities on tour packages, excursions and activities.
The packages are initially available in 16 destinations in Europe, Asia and the US.
“All products provided on the platform will be rated based on the level of Muslim-friendly services,” said Fazal Bahardeen, the chief executive of Muslim Travel Warehouse.
In January he launched the HalalTrip app, which rates and shares information on restaurants and shops selling halal food. It launched with about 50 restaurants in Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Austria and Peru.
In October, the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority will host the World Islamic Travel Summit to showcase halal travel.
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
One-off T20 International: UAE v Australia
When: Monday, October 22, 2pm start
Where: Abu Dhabi Cricket, Oval 1
Tickets: Admission is free
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Darcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.