How close is Hong Kong to becoming a Muslim-friendly destination?

Hong Kong is steadily accommodating Muslim visitors as it seeks to attract additional travellers from the Middle East and Southeast Asian regions. However, critical gaps need to be addressed before the city can fully establish itself as a Muslim-friendly tourist destination.

Hong Kong has made notable strides in becoming more Muslim-friendly over the past two years, expanding its halal dining options and increasing the availability of prayer facilities throughout the city.

The number of halal-certified restaurants in the city has surged to 142, up from just 63 in 2022. By the end of 2025, the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund (also known as the Board of Trustees, or BOT) aims to certify over 500 halal establishments.

To support this goal, an enhanced halal certification system is being introduced, says Nixie Lam, BOT advisor and a legislative council member from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), the city's largest political party.

“Since July 2024, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in collaboration with BOT and Crescent Rating, has adopted a set of classification, standards, and assessment criteria for halal certification that meet international standards and suit Hong Kong's actual situation, covering restaurants, hotels, attractions, shopping malls, and MICE venues,” Lam tells Salaam Gateway.

Halal dining options in Hong Kong are on the rise, with Middle Eastern, Indian, and Malaysian cuisines now widely available in popular districts like Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, and Wan Chai. Notably, the Islamic Centre Canteen offers the city's only halal Cantonese dishes, while Toast Box became Hong Kong's first halal-certified Singaporean restaurant last August.

“Muslim travellers can easily access information about halal restaurants through the HKTB or halal travel websites. Also, many establishments prominently display the halal certification logo to attract Muslim customers,” says Sharifa Leung, founder of 3 Hani Enterprises, a Hong Kong-based halal consultancy which has guided many businesses, including Toast Box.

Top-tier support 

Hong Kong has intensified efforts to cultivate a Muslim-friendly tourism environment following Chief Executive John Lee’s 2024 Policy Address, where he highlighted the importance of supporting Muslim visitors. Among his proposals were the introduction of Arabic language services in taxis and at the airport, the creation of halal restaurant lists, and the establishment of prayer facilities in hotels. 

HKTB has also compiled a range of travel information and tips for Muslim visitors on its website and has been actively promoting the city in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The focus on providing Arabic signage in taxis and at the airport may be unnecessary, as most Arab travellers can read and speak English, Ilnur Minakhmetov, a Hong Kong-based educator, public advocate, and cultural ambassador tells Salaam Gateway.

“Instead of focusing on Arabic signage, it would be more meaningful to have banners and signs wishing ‘Eid Mubarak’, which I have seen in other places but have yet to encounter during my time here,” he says. “Before suggesting that taxi drivers learn basic phrases in Arabic, shouldn’t we prioritize improving their English skills?” 

Additionally, DAB is organizing a recruitment day to train more Muslim tour guides, equipping them with the language skills needed to better serve tourists and business travelers, according to Lam. 

The political party also plans to propose the introduction of Ramadan food fairs and cultural festivals to raise awareness of Muslim traditions among the wider public.

Organizing markets and light displays during the holy month, particularly in vibrant areas like Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard, would not only attract more Muslim visitors to Hong Kong but also create memorable photo opportunities at night, suggests Minakhmetov. 

Plugging key gaps

Despite growing demand, the number of halal-certified dining establishments still falls short of meeting the needs of the city’s increasing Muslim tourist population, according to Leung. 

Halal-certified restaurants make up a paltry 1.9% of the city's 17,500 eateries, with most located in major metropolitan areas. 

When it comes to hotels, 21 establishments have received the Muslim-friendly Crescent Rating as of October, including international brands like Kowloon Shangri-La and Mira Hong Kong, says Lam. These account for only 6.5% of the city’s 321 hotels. 

Additionally, recreational facilities that prioritize privacy - such as gender-segregated swimming hours - remain relatively uncommon.

“Throughout my 13 years in Hong Kong, I have not encountered prayer mats or Qibla direction indicators in hotel rooms. For instance, during a recent function at the Island Shangri-La Hotel, I had to pray in a corridor where guests regularly passed by,” adds Minakhmetov.

There is much to be done. “Currently, only one halal café can be found at Hong Kong International Airport, and the prayer room is not easily accessible. Furthermore, airport lounges do not offer halal food options. In local hotels, the buffet offerings are not halal, and there is not a single prayer room available. Also, none of the shopping centres have prayer rooms, which is common practice in other regions,” says Minakhmetov.

Despite being one of the world's most visited destinations, Hong Kong may not be the first choice for Muslim visitors, largely due to a lack of convenient prayer facilities and a limited selection of halal cuisine, says Leung. With a Muslim population of around 300,000, the city has only five mosques and 43 prayer rooms, some of which are located at major tourist attractions like Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park.

“In Japan's major cities, for example, I found prayer rooms and ablution facilities conveniently located within shopping centers,” says Leung.

“Increasing the availability of wudhu-friendly washrooms in Hong Kong is essential. Some locations provide prayer rooms without ablution facilities, which indicates a lack of understanding of Islamic culture and fails to meet the faith-based needs of Muslim visitors.”

3 Hani Enterprises recently received inquiries from both the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Ocean Park about the installation of ablution facilities. “We see this as a positive step and hope that more tourist attractions and shopping centers will follow suit by offering suitable prayer rooms and ablution facilities,” says Leung.

Viable steps

The Muslim population is projected to increase from 2.12 billion in 2024 to 2.47 billion in 2034, according to the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2024. Given the sizeable opportunity that awaits the city, there is much ground to cover. 

Hong Kong could learn valuable lessons from cities with well-developed Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure, such as Shenzhen in southeastern China and his hometown of Kazan in Russia, adds Minakhmetov. 

He further advocates for the establishment of a dedicated task force to enhance Hong Kong’s appeal to Muslim tourists. The lack of Muslims working in tourism-related government departments means many businesses still don’t fully understand what halal entails or recognise Islam as the world’s fastest-growing religion, he adds. 

Leung shares a similar perspective, noting that the shortage of trained halal auditors and executives in Hong Kong hampers the city’s ability to cater to Muslim visitors effectively.

“At present, not a single Muslim is employed by HKTB or InvestHK,” Minakhmetov points out.

“How can Hong Kong market itself as a Muslim-friendly destination without people who are knowledgeable about Islamic culture, traditions, and lifestyles? This situation needs to change.”