Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington, UK, will be the place where over 200 travel professionals from 40 countries will meet for one day on November 2, 2014 to exchange Halal Leisure, Business Travel (MICE), Umrah, Umrah Plus, and Islamic Tourism opportunities and packages between them.

Halal Leisure simply means that when Muslim families from the Middle East, North Africa, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and from around the world travel for their vacations, they are interested in staying at hotels that offer Halal food for them in the restaurants. They are also interested in not letting their children see alcohol in the room refrigerator and to find the (Qibla) directions and a prayer carpet in the room. The expression Halal Leisure is also used when Muslim honeymooners are planning to enjoy their honeymoon in a private villa with a private pool, and this also means offering ladies privacy in their pools, beaches and spas so they can swim and enjoy the sun without being watched by men as it is not allowed in the Islam religion. This and more falls under the category of Halal Leisure.

Flying via a Halal airline would also be of interest for Muslims families, as parents and their children might be confused if for example they sit in a chair while in a chair next to them, someone is having alcohol.

As for Halal Business Travel (MICE), the same as the above applies, but in addition, at meetings and conventions, whether in Islamic countries or worldwide, some Muslim delegates would be more satisfied where Halal food is offered to them, and there is no alcohol on the tables.

Incentives Halal Travel means when associations in Islamic countries that offers their members an incentive tour. These travelers would also like to receive Halal services that would make them happier and more satisfied customers.

The Umrah to Saudi Arabia is a religious program, where around 8 million Muslims (pilgrims) visit Makkah and Madinah every year in Saudi Arabia during the year to make Umrah. The Umrah Plus means that before making Umrah in Saudi Arabia or after, pilgrims are interested in visiting another country for Halal leisure travel. Palestine is a major Umrah Plus destination where Muslims are satisfied and happy when visiting Qubat al Sakhra and the Al Aqsha Mosque in Jerusalem.

And last, the Islamic Tourism expression was founded first by Mr. A.S. Shakiry, when he published the Islamic Tourism Magazine in 5 languages which was distributed worldwide by his staff in bookshops and travel fairs. Mr. Shakiry wrote hundreds of articles about Islamic tourism. Islamic tourism in general means to offer over 1.4 billion Muslims around the world the packages and services they want to enjoy their travel, to see the Islamic heritage around the world, and to support Islamic communities and the economy.

For the above reasons and much more, with over 50,000 travel professionals coming to London for the World Travel Market (WTM) between November 3-6, 2014, I took the initiative to organize the first World Halal Leisure, Incentives, Business Travel (MICE), Umrah, Umrah Plus, and Islamic Tourism Workshop in London on November 2, 2014, where some of 200 travel professionals from 40 countries have registered to attend as trade visitors and suppliers.

You are most welcomed to attend the event – entrance to this workshop is free.

For more information about some of the delegates joining the event, please visit:
www.micemiddleeast.com and www.halaltravelmedia.com