Issue 51

Islamic tourism represents a huge growth market for Thailand, something recognised by the government as it promotes the country as a Muslim-friendly destination.

Halal tourism is big business. According to the Halal Travel 2016 report by UK research company Context Consulting, the number of halal tourists will reach 150 million by 2020 with spending rising to US$200 billion, compared with US$145 billion in 2014.

This is good news for Thailand, which was ranked second on the list of non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations for the second consecutive year in the Master Card Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index 2016.

However, despite the large pool of international standard hotels, Thailand did not have one specifically designed for Muslim travellers until four-star halal hotel Al Meroz opened in Bangkok’s Ramkhamhaeng district in November 2015.

“I own Sophia halal restaurant and have served Muslim tourists for decades,” says Rausak Mulsap, president and CEO of Al Meroz. “My foreign customers and tour agents always asked me why Thailand does not have 100% halal accommodation and that inspired me to open this hotel. The concept of a halal hotel is serving food with halal certification as well as providing a Muslim-friendly environment, and safety and hygiene conforming to the religious belief.”

As you enter the hotel, visitors are immediately struck by the Arabic style of the architecture and music. Then they are greeted by receptionists in traditional Islamic uniforms. Sixty percent of Al Meroz’s staff are Muslim.

Most of the guests come from Europe, the Middle East, China and ASEAN, in addition to Thais.

Sanya Saengboon, managing director and general manager of Al Meroz Hotel, explains that the hotel is not just for Muslims.

“Al Meroz has welcomed a lot of European guests who prefer staying in a clean, safe and quiet
hotel,” he says. “Our guests can easily travel within Bangkok or elsewhere because of the good transportation network in this area including the airport rail link and expressway.”

Mulsap believes that more halal hotels will open in the next few years because of the high demand.

“Al Meroz is the pioneer in the halal hotel market,” he says. “Several investors have invited me to expand our business to other tourist destinations in Thailand such as Pattaya and Hua Hin because they recognise the growth potential. For now, I focus on Al Meroz Hotel and there is the possibility to form a joint-venture and open halal hotels in other provinces in the future.”

For more information, visit www.almerozhotel.com