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Asia is lauded as one of the world’s most diverse and inclusive regions. This diversity is aptly reflected in the range of halal offerings available across the spectrum of travel and tourism providers.

Frequently, these offerings tap into halal values and needs of the local community who are a ready-made market for these providers. At the same time, these providers are catering to the booming market for halal as travel opens up post-Covid.

In Thailand, Soneva Kiri at Koh Kood is leveraging on growing interest among Middle East and MENA visitors. In addition to procuring halal meats and preparing the meals in a dedicated kitchen, the resort has increased their efforts to accommodate the needs of Muslim guests and make them feel comfortable.

Says Donna Campbell, Soneva communications director, “Our staff are trained to be gender sensitive when assigning butlers: female guests who travel on their own or with a group of ladies will get female butlers and vice versa. We also remove alcohol from the mini bar and replace it with healthy options.” Prayer mats and a compass showing the direction of the Qiblah (Muslims pray facing Makkah, Saudi Arabia) are also available in guest villas.

Over at Chiva-Som Hua Hin, the wellness resort is showcasing a menu inspired by Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM). Available at its resort until 30 November, the cuisine reflects the wellness philosophy of Chiva-Som’s sister property in Qatar, Zulal Wellness Resort that draws from the archives of Islamic medicinal historians and Prophetic traditions. Balanced dishes introduce guests to the medicinal benefits of herbs and spices such as cinnamon, za’atar and turmeric, known to help improve heart health and for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Airlines and cruises have also jumped on the bandwagon. Royal Brunei Airlines remains the only non-Gulf carrier that is one of the world’s few dry airlines. Apart from offering halal meals onboard, it also provides guests dedicated galleys to observe their prayers. The boutique airline continues to leverage on its national identity and supportive ownership to offer a comfortable flying experience for both Muslims and other guests.

Elsewhere, Resorts World Cruises leads the cruise sector in capturing the potentials of the growing Muslim travel market. Its Genting Dream cruise traversing Asian waters offers a restaurant that operates by the OIC/SMIIC halal standard with a dedicated section for halal meals.

This article was also published in Travel Weekly Asia

What can the Muslim polymath Ibn Sina (980-1037 CE), known in the West as Avicenna, teach us about wellness in time of post-pandemic?

Known as the Prince of Physicians, Ibn Sina’s concept of health and diseases was to balance these three states: physical, mind and spirit.

As traditional medicine and ancient healing wisdom gain momentum for 21st century problems, it has also seen the revival of Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM), many of which are inspired by Ibn Sina’s Al Qanun Fi Al-Tibb (The Canon of Medicine) written in 1025.

TAIM is a system of healing based on restoring life balance through herbal medication, dietary adjustments and spiritual care. Many of TAIM’s pioneering holistic approach to wellness have influenced and inspired modern medicine.

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar is the world’s first wellness resort dedicated to Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine. Drawing on Chiva-Som’s years of expertise in delivering holistic wellness therapies to guests worldwide, Zulal offers over 400 treatments. Some of these feature both Prophetic and traditional Arabic medicines such as sidr herbs, neem leaves, dates, camel milk, honey and Camelgrass.

Each programme is tailored to individual health needs, whether for relaxation, detox, fitness or weight management. Meals and nutrition have also been curated to be balanced and are rooted in Arabic healthy food traditions.

And here’s the big plus: the resort is divided into two areas – the adults-only Zulal Serenity and the family-friendly Zulal Discovery. So bring the papooses along and embark on a journey of wellness together!

Our favourite resort in Thailand, Soneva Kiri, gets ready to welcome guests celebrating Eid al-Adha.  From July 7th to 16th, guests can enjoy an unforgettable Eid with exceptional dining events and festive feasts, rare experiences, family fun and more.

There are daily Eid-inspired dining programmes such as breakfast with Middle Eastern live cooking stations before stretching out to relax on the secluded sands of North Beach with a delectable lunch of pit-cooked roast lamb. For dinner, a feast of flavours from across North Africa and the Middle East await at the Middle Eastern and Moroccan Street Buffet. There is also hands-on cooking classes where guests can master Indonesian, Indian or Thai dishes.

Then explore the beauty of Koh Kood with the Seven Days, Seven Beaches tour. Hop on a traditional fishing boat and explore secluded beaches, hidden coves and azure bays.

Young guests are not forgotten, too. The Den – a giant moulded bamboo playground shaped like a manta ray – is filled with activities that explore their creativity and imagination. Elsewhere, the Eco Den is specially made for 1 to 5 year olds, with age-specific activities where guests are looked after by qualified childcare experts and local child carers.

Since our last stay, Soneva Kiri has moved up on so many levels. For example, the organic Eco Centre garden now hosts Colours of the Garden where guests can dine on plant-based menu using ingredients that come directly from the garden. Benz Restaurant has been renamed Tuk’s Kitchen but remains the quaint on-stilts building with offering of a ‘no menu’ multicourse Thai meal.

Elsewhere, the resort continues to maintain its halal commitment, sharing with Halaluxe the various halal certificates for the meats and selected ingredients. Chef Cristophe says, “(For) special religion dietary (halal, kosher, etc..), we always use a separate kitchen and special kitchen equipment for respective faith-based needs.”

I’m so excited to announce the first Halauxe retreat happening in January 2022, insyaAllah!

Reset – a Halaluxe Retreat is a 4-day, all-inclusive retreat that blends experiential halal luxury with immersive wellness. It’s the perfect antidote to the pandemic chaos and a great start to the new year.

Think of it as a recalibration getaway for the mind, body and spirit. Motivating movement sessions to get you past the bulge, blues and blahs. Guided journalling for mindfulness, reflection, and intention setting. Soul care sessions to reset spiritual awareness and integrity.

All this amidst the peaceful setting of  Tanjong Jara Resort,  a luxury YTL Hotels property in Dungun, Terengganu. Experience the gentle grace of the east coast Malay community. Luxuriate in YTL’s signature service and hospitality. Bask in the charm of the locals’ spirit and drink in the raw nature.

So come unwind, make friends, and let your spirit expand. Return home forever changed.

Reset – a Halaluxe Retreat

Date: 6-9 January, 2022 / Tanjong Jara Resort, Terengganu

Package: From RM799++ per room, per night

What’s included

• Three nights’ accommodation
• Daily set breakfast, set lunch and set dinner for two persons
• A beach barbecue dinner for two persons on 7 January, 2022
• Scheduled morning workouts
• Scheduled guided journalling
• Soul care sessions
• An exclusive gym confidence session
• Welcome gift pack

What’s not included

Travel to and from the resort is not included

Book Now: 

Enquiries: anis@halaluxe.com

SAMPLE ITINERARY

7.30-8.30am

Movement

9.00-11.00 am

Breakfast at leisure

11.00am-12.00pm

Guided journalling

12.00-2.00pm

Lunch at leisure

Afternoon free to relax, spa, and unwind

5.00-6.00pm

Soul care session

Evening at leisure, private consultations, Q&A

8.00pm

Dinner

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, delayed by a year, is well underway.

While no international tourists are allowed to travel for the Games, Japan’s efforts in readying itself to welcome Muslim guests for last year’s scheduled Olympics won’t be wasted, as pent-up demand means that Muslim travellers are eagerly waiting for borders to re-open.

Speaking to Halaluxe last year in the run-up to the Summer Olympics, the Honourable Koike Yuriko, Governor of Tokyo, shared some of the city’s more notable efforts to make Tokyo welcoming to Muslim athletes and guests.

Among them were educating tourism and hospitality players on providing services and facilities that are aligned with the Islamic values. Her office, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, also published a Muslim traveller guidebook.

The guidebook included lists of halal restaurants, Muslim-friendly souvenir shops, mosques and Muslim-friendly tourism products. Mohamed Nazeer, Director of Japan Halal Foundation (JHF) that helped audit the guidebook says, “There is massive potential in the emerging Muslim-friendly tourism and the halal market. I think Tokyo recognises this and it has been steadily enriching its halal initiatives to capture this market segment.”

He pointed out how since 2015 Taito Ward, where JHF is based and home to popular tourist attractions such as Ueno and Asakusa, began encouraging businesses to adopt halal. “The ward began providing subsidies to companies, restaurants and the F&B industries – reimbursing 50% of the cost of certification,” shared Nazeer.

Recently, in anticipation of the reopening of its borders to international tourists, Japan announced that it will open a Japan National Tourism Organization Office (JNTO) in Dubai in the second half of 2021 in order to attract more visitors from the Middle East.Together, efforts like those by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Taito Ward and Japan Halal Foundation offer a fertile ground for Japan to capture Muslim travellers once borders reopen.

The one question we get asked a lot is: how do I stay fit while on holiday?

It’s hard. We know. Because we too tried, and failed.

So let’s keep it real.

No one wants to avoid the buffet when on a vacation. Or be a morning person.

You’re on a break from your routine, and you’re out to explore a new environment, culture, the peoples and surroundings.

Be kind to yourself.

Hotels and resorts know this only too well. That is why they have cleverly snuck in “experiential activities” to help you break a sweat. So instead of stressing over falling behind your workout schedule, make the destination your physical gym. From morning hikes to cycling, pilates to muay thai, signing up for a class is the smarter way to stay active during the break and beyond.

Sharing with you some of our favourite experiences:

Muay Thai at The Siam

This has got to be one of our best leisure pursuits! The Siam makes it so easy to try your hand (and other limbs) at Thailand’s ancient sport. Classes are designed for all levels. Even if you’re not here to master the art of eight limbs, just learning its history is something to treasure back home.

Kayaking at The Palace Hotel Tokyo

As Tokyo prepares to welcome some of the world’s greatest athletes this summer, hotel guests too can get into the Olympic spirit with this à la carte menu of fitness pursuits. Go on a private two-hour kayaking outing down the Tokyo canals and see the city from a different view. In the Spring, paddle along the Sumida River to catch a glimpse of the stunning cherry blossoms canal.

Swim with a legend at Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat

Learn to swim using a salad bowl? As odd as that may sound, you’ll get a total body workout and master the confidence to graduate from pool to swimming in the sea with legendary swim coach, Pierre Gruneberg. You also get bragging rights after: Gruneberg past students include Paul McCartney, Ralph Lauren and David Frost, among others.

Running the neighbourhood at Zentis Osaka

The concierge at Zentis Osaka will tell you that what they lack in facilities is well compensated by the gems in the neighbourhood. Located in the Kita district, guests can follow a trail that takes them along the Dojima River and Nakanoshima for a sense of the city’s culture. Admire the contrast between old and new, discover the city’s green spaces and the best spot at the confluence of Dojima and Tosabori Rivers to greet the morning sun.

Pilates at Azerai Can Tho

Surrounded by centuries-old banyan trees, guests who participate in the resort’s pilates class begin with a 45-minute posture analysis in the spanking new studio that features the latest in allegro reformer equipment. Tailored to suit a variety of levels and requirements, you’ll be guided to perform the 12 basic pilates exercises to develop core strength and lengthen the spine for better posture. For the fitness-focused, the reformer class will challenge your whole body with a focus on spinal flexion, extension and rotation.

The farm-to-table movement is not new. But it’s having its moment as the concept of regenerative travel shapes tourism post-Covid.

There are many things to love about farm to table dining.

It celebrates local produce, it helps support local farmers and communities, it is kind to the ecology, and it helps cut the food’s carbon footprint.

At Tanah Gajah Ubud’s “Farm to Table” dining, for instance, ingredients are harvested within 100 metres of guests’ table. The catfish are caught from a pond behind the garden. The yams grow behind one of the villas. The cinnamon is ground from bark of a tree by the pool.

Singaporean-born chef Khairudin ‘Dean’ Nor, who oversees the experience, also brings guests on a horticultural survey of the resort’s organic garden. He explains the story behind each plant, its properties, how it grows, what it’s used for, when to harvest, and other little-known oddities (e.g. you can eat the flower of starfruit).

Partnering with local suppliers to secure seasonal produce also guarantees Chef Dean a perpetually fresh menu. No stale supplies here!

Tanah Gajah is an idyllic 20-key property, moored among the rice paddies in Ubud. It prides itself as a guest-oriented resort where Chef Dean says he personally welcomes and greets guests upon their arrival. This allows him to learns of guests’ food preference, dietary requirements and tailor make a menu for their entire stay at Tanah Gajah.

On catering to Muslim guests’ halal needs, he says, “I am a Muslim, too. Although our restaurants are not halal certified, we do source our produce from halal certified suppliers and I customise a menu for our (Muslim) guests. So far we have received very positive feedback from them and they really appreciate us going that extra mile for them.”

Tanah Gajah is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.