EDITOR’S LET TER I would like to welcome you all to the first edition of Battuta, a Halal Travel Magazine. Like Ibn Battuta, the greatest traveler in Islamic history, our adventurous soul is thriving to explore the unique places, cultures, and communities. In fact, each of us has an inner Ibn Battuta with dreams of traveling. This is what motivated us to name our magazine after Ibn Battuta. Our world is experiencing such hard times. Humanity is suffering from the novel coronavirus. However, even if we can’t shake hands or hug loved ones, we have learned that it is easy to say I love, I care, and I am thinking of you using our eyes only.
Editor in Chief Mehmet N. Akkurt, PhD
Time does indeed fly. The blessed month of Ramadan is almost over and Eid is just around the corner. We may have to eat sweets using surgical gloves and by pulling our masks down and yet the joy and happiness of Eid will still remain deep inside our hearts. In this edition, we are featuring some very special authors who will share helpful articles. Reem El Shafaki will share her perspective about the Future of Travel. Our first Q&A series with Sukaina Rajabali, who will educate and inspire us all. In addition to the above beautiful and inspiring articles, we have an Explore a Mystery series by Nafisa Bakhromovna about Blue Mosque. We will Travel for the Soul with amazing expressions by Sara Salih, and Mariam Ahmed will share her 12 Tips for Traveling or Planning a Holiday During Ramadan. This edition will also present an informative comparison of accommodation options for Muslim travelers and of course our very own top travel destinations of 2020. Stay strong and keep your traveler spirit alive. See you in travelable days inshaAllah with our next edition…
Editor in Chief Mehmet N. Akkurt Art Director Vefa Yabanigul Graphic Designer Yusuf Tezel Editor Veysel Gokbel Honorary Reviewer Haifa Hussein Writers Nafisa Bakhromovna Muhtar Emirguliyev Haifa Hussein Jelilah Anofiu Contributors Sukaina Rajabali Reem El Shafaki Mariam Ahmed Sara Salih
CONTENTS: Explore a Mystery: Sultanahmet
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12 Tips for Traveling or Planning A Holiday During Ramadan
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Q&A Interview with a Muslim Influencer: Sukaina Rajabali
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The Future of Halal Tourism In The Post Covid-19 Era
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Top 5 Muslim-Friendly Destinations
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Villa or Resort For A Holiday Post Covid-19
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Travel for The Soul
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Top 10 Halal Holiday Tips For Travelers
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Halal Tourism News
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GET IN TOUCH Advertisement & Enquiries vyabanigul@HalalTravels.com
Editorial blog@HalalTravels.com
General info@HalalTravels.com
IN SOCIAL MEDIA @HalalTravelscom
WELCOME
to the most innovative Muslim friendly online travel agency, HalalTravels.com. I believe that exploring the world is one of our life’s gift. A holiday is not just about the destination, it is about new experiences and the bonds that are made along the way. Although our actions have been slowed down by the pandemic, we never stopped working on bringing people, places, and cultures together to create lasting memories. Since the beginning, we have been creating exceptional holidays that offer the very best value. Our commitment to outstanding quality and our passion for our travelers have continuously made us a growing online travel agency in halal tourism. Our mission is to empower travelers to explore the world without any hesitation. Today, we are happy to serve traveling Muslims in more than 35 countries worldwide and help them find the best holiday options. We created this halal travel magazine to communicate effectively with our valued community. At the end, our goal is to make travel accessible worldwide, and I hope this magazine helps us fulfill our responsibility in that regard. Be part of this exciting journey. Veysel Gokbel, PhD Co-Founder of HalalTravels.com
Explore a Mystery:
S u lta n a h m e t by Nafisa Bakhromovna
“If one had a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul” Istanbul is a golden bridge that connects Asia and Europe. In other words, two continents live in one city, making it a city of contradictions! It is not coincidence that in 2010, by a decision of the Council of Europe, Istanbul was declared as the capital of European culture. If you want, call this city old Babylon, if you want, modern New York. No, no, this is neither Babylon nor New York this is Constantinople, Sargrad, Istanbul! Istanbul is a country within a country! Istanbul is a crossroad of the magnificent empires, great histories, and unique cultures! Another peculiarity is, as a precious gem of The Ottoman Empire, Istanbul achieved impressive architectural successes under the
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rule of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire! And today you will get to know about the pearl of the Ottoman Empire’s architecture “The Sultanahmet Mosque” Sultanahmet Mosque is one of the most magnificent architectural monuments of Istanbul in terms of beauty and grandeur. The young Ottoman ruler, Sultan Ahmed, ordered this true work of art to be erected. Later, the inhabitants of European countries gave the religious shrine, a different name the Blue Mosque, which was firmly entrenched in it and is now heard by everyone even more than the original name.
The Sultanahmet Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616, it took exactly 7years, 5 months, and 6 days, it was the reassurance of Ottoman power. The mosque was constructed by a royal architect Sedefher Mehmet Aga who was the pupil and senior assistant of the famous architect Mimar Sinan.
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12 TIPS
FOR
Traveling or Planning A HOLIDAY DURING
R A M A D A n by Mariam Ahmed
If you’re someone who’s planning to travel either for work or for leisure, here are some tips for traveling during Ramadan. With the ongoing worldwide Coronavirus crisis, planning a holiday is the last thing on people’s minds. While some countries are still imposing strict travel restrictions, others have started easing them little by little. In countries where domestic and international travel is still on, flight fares have drastically either dropped or multiplied. For brave-hearted wanderlusters, even if it’s not the ideal time, there is still an opportunity to travel in a minimum budget during these times; with precautions of course! Ramadan used to be a slow month for the Halal travel industry, as the majority of Muslims don’t usually prefer to plan vacations during this holy month. However, the ones who did anyway opted for peaceful destinations and getaways to relax. So if you’re someone who’s planning to travel either for work or for leisure, here are some tips for traveling during Ramadan.
1. Choose a Muslim Country to Visit If not traveling for work, pick a country where it is easier to find halal food and to explain your special needs for praying and fasting. We would all agree on the fact that traveling becomes a lot more pleasurable when you don’t have to worry about “accidentally eating non-halal food” or finding a Muslim-friendly toilet. So if you have decided on utilizing your Ramadan holidays for travel, then choosing a Muslim country is the first thing you should be planning for.
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2. Pick a Peaceful Place If you wish to travel during Ramadan for leisure, then pick a place where you can relax and enjoy nature more, and wander less. Camping and glamping at nature parks is an excellent idea for spending your Ramadan holiday. Just pack some basic supplies for Suhoor and Iftar, your prayer mat to pray under the stars, and unwind in the natural surroundings, appreciating Allah’s beautiful creations.
3. Plan a Relaxing Holiday Because most of the tourist attractions are closed during specific hours during Ramadan in Muslim countries, aim for a comforting vacation experience rather than a tiring one. Also, try not to drain your energy loitering around aimlessly. Traveling during a fast can be exhausting physically and mentally. Therefore, stay at a place that is accessible to all those places on your bucket list, and try to visit them at a “slower than usual” pace.
4. Request Special Meals If staying at a non-Muslim hotel, don’t hesitate to request special meal setups for your Iftar and Suhoor. They might not go out of the way to set up a buffet for you but will definitely arrange something if notified in advance.
5. Carry Your Own Travel Prayer Mat Missing prayer just because you’re in the middle of your leisure trip isn’t justified at all. Wherever you are, just take small breaks for Salat during the trip. Two helpful items you should carry that can make wudu and praying easy, no matter where you are, are: a travel prayer mat, a water bottle for Wudu and a bidet spray bottle.
6. Download Qibla Direction & Prayer Timings App Now going to a new country and keeping track of prayer timings, and time in general is nearly impossible due to jet lag and many other reasons. Download any Salat mobile app that can notify you of prayer timings and Qibla direction for minimizing your chances of missing prayer. My favorite app for this purpose is “Qibla Connect”, however, there are many others too.
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7. Check the Country’s Pattern of Closing Down Some countries shut down restaurants and malls for the first few days of Ramadan to pray, and prepare for the busy Eid season. Call your hotel and tour services to confirm their schedules before planning your days.
8. Make Bookings Ahead Bookings for tours during Ramadan and Iftar buffets at restaurants can be very unpredictable. Make sure you schedule and book everything ahead of time.
9. Don’t Plan Tiring Itineraries For a lot of Muslims, traveling during Ramadan is an improbable idea. But on the other hand, some see it as an opportunity of utilizing time off, by doing what they love, i.e. travel. Whether you’re traveling during Ramadan for work, or for leisure, just don’t forget to save time and energy for praying in the blessed nights.
10. Check for Ramadan Special Attractions in the Area Some Muslim countries such as Turkey and Morocco celebrate Ramadan as a month-long festival itself. There are special night bazaars, Ramadan sales and attractions for tourists that you may not find in any other season. So don’t forget to enjoy it!
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11. Pick a Hotel That Is Close to a Nice Mosque If visiting a Muslim county, try to pick a peaceful neighborhood for staying; where you can experience Ramadan rituals and culture of the country to the fullest. Breaking fast and offering Tarawih prayers with the locals once would be a unique holiday experietnce on its own.
12. Carry Snacks and Water with Yourself And last, but not the least tip for traveling during Ramadan is to carry water and some snacks for unpredictable long tours. In case you’re stuck on the road during Iftar time, you will have something to break your fast without panicking. We hope you enjoyed these little tips for traveling during Ramadan Stay safe, Ramadan Kareem, and happy planning!
MARIAM AHMED
Mariam is a Pakistani Muslim and a mum of two, who loves to share tips and experiences of her family vacations with readers on her blog: www.guiltymamaonthego.com Through her content, i.e. majorly about family travel, she aims to aspire Muslim millennial parents to explore the world with kids, no matter how young/old they may be.
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Q&A Sukaina Rajabali Photographer, Traveler, Entrepreneur, Cancer Survivor
“Sukaina Rajabali is a Dubai based food photographer. Her style has graced a long list of best-selling books and popular magazines. She loves playing with texture and light and has a signature style aesthetic with a vast range of vintage and modern props and surfaces, When not behind the camera, you will still find her surrounded by food in the kitchen- playing with flour, butter and sugar.
She is also one of only seven Certified Phase One Professionals in the Middle East.”
She is also an influencer with over 100K followers on Instagram where she aims to inspire modest, hijabi travelers to explore the world without any hesitation. Her Instagram stands out not only with the incredible images but also through the honest, thoughtful, and inspiring captions.
Join us to learn more about what inspired Sukaina in her journey, how she keeps busy at home while quarantined, where she gets her strength to cope with the “NEW USUAL”, and what she foresees for the future of travel.
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Would you be kind enough to share a little bit about yourself ? Who is Sukaina Rajabali? So I’m a professional food and travel photographer who loves to travel the world and adventure. My aim is to inspire other modest, hijabi women in our community all over the world to do the same, and not let their modest way of dressing, their religion or culture come in the way of their aspirations, love for travel and adventure. “Traveling starts with inspiration” is one of our mottos. What inspired your amazing journey and your passion for traveling? I was on a food photography retreat in a tiny island in Seattle called Lumi in 2016 and we were staying in these quaint cottages surrounded by lush forests and a roaring ocean. We foraged our own food, fished for crabs, trekked unknown paths and more than the food photography, I learned about my love of seeing new places, meeting people of a different culture, eating foods I had never eaten. I made a vow to travel to one new place each month the year after so I could experience those feelings again and again. In one of your posts on Instagram, you asked your followers “Where would you like to be transported right now?”. Although we kind of have a clue from the beautiful image you shared, we still wanted to ask you. Where would YOU like to be transported right now? Oh gosh, just one place?! In all honesty, I am so happy I am here in Dubai. It’s home, I feel safe here, it’s comfortable. However, I wouldn’t mind going somewhere more green like Bali right now. I miss nature, swimming, snorkeling, the chirping of birds. I miss the greenery! That’s why I am spending so much time in my garden these days.
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One thing that grabbed my attention on your Instagram is that you warn your followers about what they see on social media (This is not something that we come across often) You openly said, “This (referring to the image you posted) is crafted, created, augmented, ......”. What is the message you want to get across? That social media is a highlight reel. You see the very best moments on there, the perfect pictures of perfect families who are always happy. My Instagram space is a place where I want people to come and feel happy, inspired, positive, and excited. I don’t want to burden anyone with my problems. But that doesn’t’ mean I don’t have problems- be they financial, emotional, family or otherwise. I just choose no to share that.
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These are difficult times for everyone, but eventually, we all have found ways to cope with the “NEW USUAL” of staying home. As someone resourceful, what are some ways that you have adapted to this new way of daily life? I’m a creature of routine. I love having a schedule and an agenda and having kids definitely helped with quarantine. Even though I absolutely hate homeschooling and teaching, my morning flies by due to having to homeschool the children. I have also been blessed with having my parents with me in quarantine.
My dad flew to Dubai for medical treatment and got stuck here. Luckily for me, their company had made the months just fly by. I have also found a new interest in gardening and have been tending to my back yard, buying new plants and just immersing myself in this new world.
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As you referred to it, this is an “unusual Ramadan”, and we all miss not being able to live the true spirit of this holy month of sharing. Any recommendations for our reader as to how they can make the most of this blessed month? Well we are now at the end of it really but Allah sends his love, blessings and mercy in every difficulty. In all honesty, this Ramadan went by in a blink of an eye even though we were housebound and didn’t congregate in prayer and dua. This in itself is the mercy of God. He has made these difficult times flash by in a blink of an eye. So always know He is the best of planners and will only test you with what you can go through, learn from and grow from. Another thing I truly appreciated coming across your social media was you talking openly about mental health. This is a tricky subject within the Muslim community and is sometimes left out of the important conversations. Considering the current situation can be triggering and how the statistics have shown the increase in relapse, what are some ways that helped you maintain your mental wellbeing? One of the biggest ways I have dealt with anxiety now and in the past is to identify my trigger. What’s setting off your anxiety? What makes it worse? Is it a certain person, a WhatsApp group in particular? Is social media giving you anxiety? Is it a change in your job, loss of a loved one, a relationship, caffeine? Making a diary of when your anxiety peaks will help you identify your triggers. Then you can start reducing that trigger or removing it from your life to deal with it. This is the first step of an often long journey.
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This is a question that we often receive from our followers. As an expert traveler, what do you foresee for travel in the future, and how do you believe travelers’ behavior will be affected by the current pandemic? It’s difficult to say really. It will take time for people to have faith in the travel industry, for people to be able to afford to travel again. I know personally, I will never again take travel for granted. I will appreciate every single part of the journey from the check-in, the anticipation before boarding, the wafts of coffee and jet fuel as you board the plane, the views from your window seat of puffed clouds, the excitement of landing, the energy of jostling bodies at the baggage carousel, the breath of fresh air as you step out of the airport. Every step of the journey even before reaching the destination will never be taken for granted.
This was a delight, and thank you sincerely for taking the time to answer our questions. Anything else you would like to share? Just that life may not seem perfect right now but it can still be wonderful and we should live it to the fullest.
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THE
FUTURE of
ın the Post
covıd-19
era
halal tourısm by Reem El Shafaki
The Travel Industry in Lockdown The world has come to a standstill; or at least that’s what it feels like to the travel industry. Previously overbooked flights are now flying empty; hotels in some countries are shuttered while others have been ordered to open at 50% capacity; travel companies that were once managing multiple itineraries seven days a week, currently have empty calendars. Senior travel executives and company owners, scrambling to make ends meet, now make difficult staffing decisions while worrying if they can sustain their own families over the next few months. These same business leaders wonder when this crisis ends and
recovery begins, will people still have the appetite and economic means to travel? When executives are not battling the current crisis or worrying about the financial bottom line, they are planning for an uncertain future, reading everything in sight from trusted travel experts, attending every webinar, and talking to their friends and colleagues in the industry to gauge their predictions and determine how they’re coping. Halal travel businesses incur the same challenges except for the fact that most are small businesses, making it harder to weather the storm.
Predicting The Future As a director at DinarStandard, a growth strategy and execution management firm specializing in the global halal/ethical economy, I have been approached by industry players asking for our insights on what the future might look like for the travel industry. While no one has a crystal ball, experts are looking at past economic trajectories, gauging consumer sentiment, and tapping into the foresights of experts to make predictions. Due to the growing demand, we at DinarStandard will be preparing a Brief on the ‘new normal’ for post-COVID-19 travel based on the early signals we’re seeing. In this article, I’ll be discussing some of these signals and what they might hold for the future of travel.
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COVID-19’s Impact on The Travel Sector Let’s begin by briefly reviewing the impact of the COVID-19 crisis so far. It is no secret that the travel industry has been hard hit by the advance of the virus. UNWTO predicts a loss of up to 1.2 trillion in tourism revenues, and that up to 120 million direct tourism jobs are at risk. Lifting travel bans and putting in place safety precautions will not be enough for travel revenues to return to some of their former glory, as fears related to health concerns linger and the economic downturn and forecasted global recession will affect the spending power of travelers. Many wouldbe leisure travelers have lost jobs. Meanwhile, companies are becoming leaner and cutting costs, so much of business travel will also be cut.
In a survey of 1,500 international travelers released in early May by mind-set, a Swiss-based travel market research firm, it was found that 41% of international travelers will consider traveling less or not at all for leisure in the 6 months after travel bans are lifted. Further, 62% said they prefer to avoid crowds or large gatherings in airports/planes/ destinations, and 59% said they would prefer to save money in the upcoming months. It was also found that 33% will consider traveling less or not at all for business in the 6 months after travel bans are lifted.
Muslim travelers tend to have a larger share of multi-generational travel. With the elderly at greater risk from the virus, I expect that intergenerational travel will resume later than nuclear family travel. From the travel industry perspective, in addition to the aviation industry, which has been the hardest hit by the crisis, small businesses are suffering immensely. In terms of halal tourism, I imagine the small and micro-businesses focused on hajj and umrah are the hardest hit and many will not survive this crisis.
With one exception, it’s safe to assume that Muslim travelers share a similar travel intent as mainstream travelers. The exception?
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Immediate Reactions and Coping Examples After the initial shock of the industry being shaken to the core, veteran travel players used to dealing with crisis situations and emerging from minor or major disasters, are looking for ways to survive. There are already examples of resilience and innovation coming from travel players, who, while weathering this storm, are finding ways to make whatever revenue they can as they wait for their royal customers to come back once the crisis is over. Several tourism businesses have started providing virtual experiences which help elevate brand awareness while consumers are preoccupied with immediate economic concerns. Airbnb, for example, started offering online experiences with local hosts. Viator, a tours and activities company, launched a #RoamFromHome project which offers a mixture of over 100 free and paid virtual experiences conducted by tour guides and hosts. Faroe Islands (located halfway between Iceland and Norway) took their virtual experiences a step further, allowing virtual visitors to control local hosts with a joypad, commanding them to turn, walk, run and jump as they showed beautiful places. I’m curious to see if there have been any similar pivots from halal
What a Post Pandemic New Normal Might Look Like By now, we’ve all heard the term ‘new normal’ enough times to know that life will revert to the way it was after the crisis resolves. While we are unable to predict exactly when this new normal will take hold in terms of specific dates, we do know that it can’t take place until a solution for the current crisis arrives, whether it’s in the form of a vaccine or herd immunity. Generally, we’re estimating the new normal will emerge in a year to a year and a half. Looking at some early signals of what is happening now, these are some of the predictions we see from the perspectives of customers, the industry and governments.
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travel companies. To maintain revenue streams, some companies are offering advance purchase deals with flexibility and value-added. For example, Qatar Airways has launched a ‘Travel with Confidence’ campaign which offers flexibility to change travel dates
free of charge and even offers ticket refunds. Customers can also choose to replace their travel voucher with a future voucher with a 10% additional value. Porter & Sail, a US-based hotel booking app, has pivoted to selling hotel gift cards which you can use later.
What It Means to Travelers Travelers, while currently restless from being locked-up in their home countries, and in some instances, their homes, are looking ahead to eased restrictions. Once they are free to travel, many factors will still come into play. While governments might declare that it’s safe to travel, many individuals will still carry emotional baggage from the crisis and be reluctant to travel. Another issue may be a reluctance to spend money, especially if individuals have lost their jobs or a major portion of their income. Travelers will need reassurances on health and safety measures in place through all the touch points of their journey, from airports and flights, to hotels and attractions. They will also need reassurances of the availability of quality medical care at their destination should they get sick while traveling. Muslim travelers will need the additional reassurance, if they’re traveling to a non-Muslim country, that they will have access to Muslim-friendly medical care with provisions for halal food at the hospital, medication that is free of non-halal ingredients, and access to Islamic burial rituals should they be needed.
How is The Future Perceived by The Industry Assuming that domestic travel will be the first to recover, many tourism businesses will pivot to cater to local travel when domestic restrictions ease. I expect this trend will continue post COVID-19, as businesses realize that a balance of domestic and international itineraries will mean sustained revenue and a healthier business model.
Smaller travel agencies will have an opportunity to gain loyal customers as travelers will prefer having the reassurance of working with a specific person instead of a faceless agent in a large call center. Smaller companies will also be well positioned to assist travelers in obtaining proof of health certification as required by destinations.
There will be a leap in innovations which were otherwise progressing slowly and being sporadically implemented. For example, robots in hotels, contactless payment, automated airports will be coming to venues sooner than we anticipated.
In terms of ancillary services, there will be more demand for insurance/takaful packages as travelers will want the peace of mind of having health insurance as well and the ability to change their travel plans in case of a health emergency.
Marketing Messages During and After The Pandemic In terms of marketing, most of the industry is currently sending out variations of the same message: stay home now, travel later, come to our destination when you can travel. Post the COVID-19 crisis, tourism businesses should focus on targeting segments that will bounce back rapidly, such as local and regional tourism, adventure travel, sustainable tourism, and young travelers.
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The Future of Sustainable Tourism While there is much talk of the positive impact of the crisis on the environment— how skies have become clearer, oceans bluer, beaches pollution-free— there is an assumption that having seen these positive impacts, the world, including the tourism industry, wouldn’t want to go back to its polluting ways. But sustainable practices require deliberate actions by industry players, backed by government incentives and regulations. Implementing sustainable tourism measures requires planning as well as a budget.
Sustainable tourism measures also entail educating industry players, like locals, travelers, and other stakeholders. Unfortunately, much of the heightened sanitation procedures including the use of harsh chemicals— which are detrimental to both human health and the environment—are at odds with sustainable tourism. However, there is a way to address both concerns. The industry should consult with sustainabilityminded health experts on environmentally friendly and safe disinfectants to use.
The Role of Governments in Bringing Travel Back Governments are playing an instrumental role during the crisis in helping prevent the tourism industry from collapsing. In many countries, governments have provided relief funds to the industry and have eased business regulations. More support is needed for small businesses who are the most vulnerable during the current crises and are an important part on the road to recovery. As some countries are cautiously opening up to
regional travel, allowing travelers from select neighboring countries to enter without quarantine restrictions – like Australia and New Zealand – this paves the way for regional cooperation among countries including the creation of tourism corridors. (For more info: COMCEC on Developing Multi-Destination Tourism Corridors In the OIC Member Countries) What has come to light during this crisis is that countries with strong health and medical
capabilities are faring much better than others. In the post COVID-19 period, a country’s perceived medical capabilities will play an important role in reassuring travelers. Countries that are already on the map for medical tourism will have a competitive advantage. Turkey, for example, is expecting to resume domestic travel in June and will have intensive care units and ventilators close to tourism resorts.
Final Thoughts My hope is that the resilience of the travel industry and the people who work in it will pull us through, that governments will step up further to provide the right amount of support where it’s needed, and that the industry will emerge more sustainable and resilient. For the full version of this article visit Blog.HalalTravels.com
REEM EL SHAFAKI
Reem is Senior Associate at DinarStandard™, a growth strategy and execution management firm, empowering organizations for profitable and responsible global impact. Reem leads DinarStandard’s Travel sector practice. Reem has worked with clients such as Thomson Reuters, MasterCard, and the Marriott. Reem frequently speaks at industry events, including ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism trade fair, and the Global Islamic Economy Summit.
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TOP 5 MUSLIM-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS Although these are difficult times to travel, there is nothing that can keep a traveler from planning a dream holiday. Here are the top 5 destinations for Muslim families, couples, and solo travelers. Pray Now! Plan Now! Travel Later! by Jelilah Anofiu
#1 Turkey Sea Lover’s Paradise With no less than 35 million tourists trooping into Turkey yearly, this culturally rich country is one of the world’s top travel destinations. Boasting the most amazing luxury hotels in the world, travelers are guaranteed optimum comfort during their stay in Turkey. Featuring a bluff and sand to stones seashores, Turkey’s coastline is the sea lover’s paradise. Known to be very rich in history, the world’s most archeological sites can be found in Turkey - the City of Troy, Ephesus, Cappadocia, etc. Some of the tour sites include the famous Hagia Sophia Museum and Mount Nemrut.
3 Reasons to Visit • History & Culture • Delicious Food • Sightseeing
Muslim-Friendliness Turkey is a Muslim-friendly destination with facilities that suit the needs of Muslim travelers. With a majority Muslim population, travelers can have easy access to mosques and Halal food. There are various Halal restaurants serving both Turkish and continental dishes. Most of the hotels in Turkey provide Muslim-friendly accommodation with facilities that ensure guests’ privacy. Featuring all-inclusive halal resorts, Turkish cities are the Top Halal destinations all over the world.
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#2 Indonesia World’s Best Halal Destination Enjoy a relaxing holiday at this luxury Halal travel destination with high standards of accommodation. Boasting one of the world’s longest coastlines, Indonesia features idyllic Islands with beautiful beaches where couples can take romantic sunset pictures during their honeymoon. Bali and Lombok are most famous for their beaches, with Jakarta, the country’s capital, offering a blend of historic and modern culture. Another thing to watch out for in this Halal travel destination is the picturesque scenery and beautiful wildlife with unique animal species. The large Muslim population in Indonesia birthed quite a number of historic mosques with cutting-edge Islamic architecture.
3 Reasons to Visit • Muslim majority • Halal food • Worldclass diving
Muslim-Friendliness Indonesia is an excellent Halal travel destination for Muslim couples, Muslim families, and nature lovers. This highly populated Muslim community offers delicious Halal food, mosques, luxury halal hotels, friendly locals, abundant wildlife, and Muslim-friendly activities. Featuring a Halal-friendly government, the Halal Tourism Development Acceleration Team is making sure travelers enjoy the best of Halal and tourism. One of the popular tourist centers in Indonesia is the historic Menara Kudus Mosque, dating as far back as 1549.
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#3 Morocco Road to the Sahara Desert Located in the North-Western region of Africa, Morocco is a growing tourist destination. Tourists can go swimming, surfing, or sunbathing in any of the coastal towns around. Food can be purchased at a cheap price even in classy restaurants. Check out the Riff and Atlas mountains with jagged cliffs and small hilltop villages. This predominantly Muslim country offers a passage to the Sahara desert.Then, there is the Majorelle Garden, UNESCO-listed Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou where many films have been shot.
3 Reasons to Visit • The Sahara Desert • Fascinating Landscapes • Beaches
Muslim-Friendliness With a diverse population of Arabs, Mediterraneans, and Europeans, there is a wide variety of halal food for travelers. Its majority Muslim population also makes it easy to access mosques in Morocco. Get your shopping bags ready for a visit to one of the Moroccan souks that sell artisan wares. Tourists can also experience the history and cultural symbolism of Morocco with a visit to any of the 9 UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country, including the Medinas and archeological sites. You can go on a Morocco private tour or with your family to create lasting memories.
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#4 United Kingdom Endless Fascinating Locations One of the world’s most visited European empires, The United Kingdom features a fascinating history and rich cultural traditions. This historic Muslim-friendly destination houses ancient Roman sites, old towns, and centuries-old castles. Travelers can easily visit popular tourist centers with cars, buses, and well-connected trains. Welcoming over 30 million tourists yearly, the UK houses some of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites, various museums, historical monuments, cutting edge art, and family-friendly locations.
3 Reasons to Visit • Halal inclusive resorts • Historic sites • Transport facilities
Muslim-Friendliness The United Kingdom has one of the fastest-growing Muslim populations in Europe. With over 150 mosques spread across Birmingham, Muslim travelers will have no issue finding a place of worship. Muslim travelers can enjoy all-inclusive halal resorts or stay in any of the various Muslim-friendly cities in the UK. Bradford and Luton specifically feature a variety of Muslim owned Halal restaurants serving Asian and English cuisines. Cities in the UK have a sizeable Muslim population and as such feature quite a number of prayer facilities.
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#5 Malaysia Award-winning Halal Travel Destination Featuring a rich cultural heritage, this country is one of the world’s best travel destinations blessed with an abundance of fascinating places to explore. Malaysia is known for its beautiful beaches, elevated hill stations, secluded islands, and its various UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Enjoy Halal street food in George Town with food courts scattered every half mile. Travelers can also experience the awesomeness of nature at the Mulu World Heritage Area - two massive caves with natural limestone formations.
3 Reasons to Visit • Rainforest and Wildlife • White sand beaches • Rich Islamic Heritage
Muslim-Friendliness Malaysia is one of the world’s top halal travel destinations, with a majority-Muslim population. The official religion is Islam, therefore, it is easy to find mosques and halal food in the country. Halal food is widely available in the country with varieties offered, including Greek, Jamaican, and Chinese food. Muslim couples can relax at one of the country’s finest beach resorts. Some of the top Malaysian destinations for Muslim tourists include Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Malacca, and Port Dickson.
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VILLA RESORT For a Holiday Post Covid-19 or
It is time to explore our accomodation options for a flawless holiday in our post coronavirus world of travel.
Whether you are traveling on a budget or seek to indulge in the luxuries of life, HalalTravels has you covered with different choices of accommodation. Covid - 19 has imposed changes to our behavior. We have to maintain social distancing and we will naturally try to minimise points of contact (touchpoints). In light of this new reality, we have selected ten important criteria that will help us evaluate the pros & cons of two accomodation options namely villas and resorts.
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Depending on what our priority is, the following table will help us visualize what option will serve our needs.
There are different travel scenarios and some very unique and excellent options of both villas and resorts so in the following paragraphs, we will delve deeper into evaluating some options to allow our customers to make a very informed decision.
Traveling with family? Do you have children traveling with you? How many? And their ages?
Family travelers, especially with children, choose villas. It offers spacious rooms for larger families and all family members will get a chance to enjoy because of the complete privacy that villas offer. Resorts do have amenities and a wider choice of food but certain members of the family will be excluded from all the fun due to privacy issues. Staying at a villa definitely reduces the stressful and judgemental glances of strangers when children especially younger
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ones are doing what they do best‌. playing, screaming and just having fun. If privacy is not an issue and if space is not a constraint, then staying close to the beach and waking up to beautiful and restful sounds of the waves is the way to go. You can lounge on the beach and children can play in the sand. Resorts will be the better option in this situation. Food and Housekeeping are the least of your worries. You are there to just enjoy and relax.
Solo traveler? A group of friends? Resorts are the best option for solo travelers. However, you may be traveling alone and you may still prefer to reduce interactions with others so villas will be appropriate for you and that is a sound decision to make considering the Covid - 19 challenges. Traveling with friends is an amazing experience and it really doesn’t matter where you stay because you are going to have a wonderful holiday experience whether it is at a villa or a resort.
Villas, Villas, Villas Resorts will make your holiday carefree but we leave you with an image of friends talking and laughing and enjoying a wonderful BBQ next to a pool nestled in a beautiful garden. Planning a holiday might be stressful because everyone wants to choose the best option. Our Halal Travel experts are on hand 24/7 to reduce the stress. Let us prepare tailor made travel itineraries and allow us to help you choose the best holiday option for you. Keep in mind that the ultimate goal of a holiday is the quality time and moments that we will eventually take back with us. Each one of us have our very own unique needs and wants and the choices we make will definitely vary. Wherever you may be traveling, have a memorable holiday experience and don’t forget to share your travel experiences with us. Allow us to be part of your journey by tagging us.
#HalalTravelscom
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TraveL FOR The Soul by Sara Salih
There is something so unique about being a Muslim and a traveler but perhaps when our feet are lost in the sands of Arabian deserts or Maldivian beaches, it’s an insight that can be lost too. We can take one step outside of the comfort of our home and be immediately met with the solace that it’ll be safe to welcome our return. We can cross seas and oceans and know with solid faith that we can settle in another wherever we go, even if we decide it’s only for a while. And even though the Earth is the largest nest we can also call home, we roam it freely knowing it is but for a short time; not only because our life is deemed short but that we know of eternity in another world, in which we are eagerly waiting to reside.
And it never matters where we are across the globe, what lands we’ve walked or what waters we’ve sailed, there’s still only ever One direction that we pray toward.
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And with that, our purpose here is to navigate ourselves through the exploration of what Allah (swt) has given us; in the beautiful sceneries that He has placed us and in the chaotic surroundings and life events that shape us. The same way we catch a flight to new countries to explore the depths of the world we have not yet seen; we also fly into new stages of our lives uncertain of all that we will face. But we do it with the certainty of His presence that keeps our fear at bay and allows us to stretch ourselves to new horizons we didn’t know we could reach.
Our whole life is a travel experience. The mundane routine of work, our health fluctuations, our milestone check off; graduation, job, marriage, kids. We schedule and plan but somehow, they all come with struggles and curveballs that we never see coming. And with each, we are then faced with internal unrest that we’re up to our neck in emotionally and psychologically and hope that a weekend ticket to a far land with clear blue skies and waters would be the easiest cure. And to many, it may fall short. But we’re hopeful not from the immeasurably deep waters we crave to make our problems feel small; we instead see the One who created it and is too Merciful to leave us to drown. We couldn’t navigate ourselves at all without Allah (swt) and the guided map He so perfectly wrote for us to be our Quran. Ultimately, we know that we can find Allah in the darkest and wildest of places, the ones we’re afraid to enter but know we must, but also in the brightest, the ones we are chasing and tirelessly yearn to set foot on. We can only soar toward them with the power He gives us.
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And so if what we seek is also seeking us, there is nothing more beautiful than traveling the world in search of Allah (swt). The One who is already with us through every stumble off the beaten path to the soft sanded welcome that greets our feet. It truly is unique that we are blessed with the sight and insight of Allah’s ubiquity in all the twists and turns of our lives and the designed marvels of the world. To honor this, I hope that with every flight we catch and every travel we embark upon our intention can begin with the Ever-Present.
Intentions for every travel • To use it to get closer to Allah (swt) • To use it for deep self-awareness and personal growth • To regain perspective on our purpose and rewrite our itinerary for the true destination of the journey and travels of our life. And while we continue to wander and drift, however off-track; in our true path, we would never be lost.
SARA SALIH
Sara Salih is a life coach, writer, and content creator with an interest in emotional wellness, mindset growth and healing specifically from emotional abuse. She advocates the use of travel (including solo travel) for self-work, spirituality, self-awareness and therapy. She is based in London and offers coaching online through her website and her Instagram.
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Top 10 Halal Holiday Tips for TRAVELERS by Vefa Yabanigul
Traveling is exciting and one of the most effective ways for individuals to broaden their perspective on life, but it does require proper planning and preparation. Obviously, we experience stress when traveling outside of our home country, but we still hope that the experience, in the end, will always be something positive, enriching, and empowering. Muslim travelers may experience difficulties in terms of finding Muslim friendly properties, halal restaurants, and other facilities complying with faithbased values. In this article, I’ll share with you The Best 10 Halal Travel Tips every Muslim traveler should know!
1. Always check the Muslim-Friendliness level of the hotel before you make a reservation Finding a Muslim friendly hotel might not be an issue if you are traveling to Muslim countries like Turkey, Malaysia, or Morocco. However, if you are planning a trip to non-Muslim countries you can get a clue about the level of Muslim friendliness from HalalTravels.com We have listed halal food options, no-alcohol policy, and ladies’ privacy as a standard for all hotels in our website. So, you can book with confidence and travel without compromising your values.
2. Prayer times and qibla directions With quick research, you can find the prayer times and free applications for qibla directions for the country you are visiting. It might not sound like an issue but it’s always better to be prepared. Make sure you download these apps beforehand so you don’t have to consume your limited data abroad. Keep in mind, some countries like Finland may have a really short interval between two prayers, by knowing the prayer times and qibla direction beforehand, it’ll be easy to arrange your travel itinerary.
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3. Finding Halal Food The biggest challenge for every Muslim traveler is of course how to find delicious and local Halal food in the city. You have no reason to be stressed, trust us it’s not that hard to find halal food. There are a couple ways to find the best halal restaurants & markets: You can always ask the locals or the receptionist at your hotel. All hotels in HalalTravels.com are Muslim-friendly and they would be happy to help you to find the best halal restaurants in town. If you make a quick search on google, you can find some local apps or the list of halal restaurants & markets easily. HalalTravels.com are always here to help you, ask our halal travel experts and they will prepare a list of all your needs specifically. Also, you can also request a travel itinerary from our halal travel experts. They will prepare a tailor-made itinerary based on your needs which includes the best halal restaurants.
4. How to choose your clothes
5. How to pack your luggage
Here is another important Halal travel tip especially for ladies. We know that it might be hard to choose your outfit while you travel. Always choose your clothes wisely, overpacking will cause you to bring an extra suitcase, which is extra trouble. Especially if you are traveling in Europe and have to pay extra for that.
Packing properly and smartly is one of the most important things to do for Muslim travelers before they travel.
The easiest way to choose your outfit is by focusing more on neutral colors, that will give you more room to mix and match your tops, pants, and jackets. Always bring comfortable shoes, it will be a lifesaver. Don’t hesitate to bring colorful scarves that will definitely spice up your outfit. Be sure to bring your sunglasses! Enjoy a fashionable trip and don’t forget to take lots of pictures.
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A vacuum bag is always helpful to get more space in your luggage. Also rolling your clothes instead of folding them is always the best method to pack your back. This way you can also prevent wrinkled clothes. If you have any liquids in your luggage (perfume, shampoo, etc.), always put them in a plastic bag so you can avoid making your luggage dirty. For the Muslim ladies, pack your lingerie neatly in a separate bag before putting it in the luggage. The last thing you want is having an officer checking your bags, taking everything out, and have your clothes scattered all over the floor (It can happen!)
6. A true lifesaver:
Snacks!
Flight delays are everyone’s nightmare but it can happen sometimes, so always have some snacks with you. It might be very expensive to buy from airports and it could be hard to find a familiar taste. While you are walking from place to place you might not find a halal restaurant or market on your way, so keep some snacks on your backpack for these kinds of situations.
7. Book your attraction tickets online List all the attractions you want to visit and schedule a plan for visiting times. Always double-check working hours of attractions, some touristic attractions could be closed on Mondays or Tuesdays. After you double-check the working hours and schedule your plan, book your tickets online. While booking your tickets online, you’ll skip the long ticket lines and most of the time you’ll save
up to 30%.
8. Public Transportation This is where it gets a little scary for most of us. Unfamiliar transport in an unfamiliar city. Always do some research about public transportations and download the offline map in case. Always keep your eyes on your bags so that you have no pickpocket experience. Always sit/stand close to a map. If you do your research and learn the stations and lines, give yourself some time to understand the operation of the public transportation system (how to get in and out, tickets, fares, connections).
9. Always plan your itinerary beforehand You don’t want to waste your time searching what to eat and what to do during your travel. Always plan your itinerary beforehand at least in your mind and note the important attractions and restaurants. It’ll save you lots of time and make your trip more enjoyable. You can always be flexible with your itinerary but it’s always good that you have one in hand.
10. Be A True Muslim Ambassador Always keep in mind that regardless of what you think people may see you as a representative of all Muslim people in the world. This is a big responsibility. • Thus, always show respect to other cultures, be patient and kind to just about anybody you meet during your travel. • Try to visit local Muslim communities, that will lead to some great friendships. • Be extra patient and friendly at the airports who knows maybe you’ll touch their hearts with your kindness and happy face! • Long story short, try to be kind as kindness is the key to many great things. P.S. share our salaam with all Muslim brothers and sisters that you may meet on your journey.
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Halal Tourism
NEWS Muslim Friendly Podcasts To Make The Most Out of Your Time by Muhtar Emirguliyev
As Muslim travelers, we may think that it’s hard to shuffle work and individual life and also monitor our Islamic education at the same time. WELL, here is a simple solution. Islamic podcasts are a great way for you to deepen your knowledge about Islam without having to physically attend classes or seminars. You can just listen to these podcasts while you are on your way to work or traveling in another country. You’ll be able to find out about Islamic history and gain new perspectives on life as a Muslim traveler. 1. The Good Life Podcast – Mizi Wahid and Nur Adam 2. Living the Quran Through Living The Quran – QAIM Institute 3. Be Unshakeable with Aiman Azlan – Aiman Azlan 4. A Muslim Mom – Farhat Amin 5. Coffee with Karim – Karim Serageldin 6. The Islamic History Podcast – Al Ismael 7. Salam Girl! – Nicole Queen and Monica Traverzo 8. The Aida Azlin Show – Aida Azlin 9. Hijabi Diaries 10 . Radio Ahmadiyya - The Real Voice of Islam To make your life and travel easier, we’ve rounded up a few of the most popular and most important podcasts that specifically cater to Muslim groups of onlookers, in the hope that we can help get people thinking about some of the most important issues of our world nowadays.
Airports to Set Up Cleaning Robots & Disinfection Booths Written by Haifa Hussein
Allah SWT has named himself Al Badee, the originator who commences, invents and creates all that exists, without any model or material. Allah SWT also saw it fit to reward those who innovate. Unlike Allah’s innovation, what
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Halal Tourism
NEWS humans create has a limited life span. Covid-19 has shaken up all the acceptable ways of doing things and innovation has become the name of the game. Airports, Hotels, Airlines, and others associated with the Travel Industry are rushing to implement the next big thing that they hope will allow them to overcome all the losses they have experienced and fly the skies or navigate the waters again.
One such innovation is CLeanTech, a full-body sanitizing machine. A passenger’s temperature is checked and the machine instantly sprays sanitizer all over a person in a process that lasts 40 seconds. The effectiveness of this innovation is of course still in the testing phase with Hong Kong International Airport being the first to implement it. Source:CNN
TIME Hotels Targets International Expansion in Republic of Tatarstan by Muhtar Emirguliyev
TIME Hotels, the UAE-headquartered hospitality company and hotel operator, is targeting investment opportunities in the Republic of Tatarstan as it continues its international expansion of the TIME Hotels’ brand. Mohamed Awadalla, CEO of TIME Hotels, was invited by the State Committee on Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan to meet and discuss potential hospitality investments in the region’s capital city of Kazan. After meeting the President, Awadalla then met with Kamil Hazrat Samigullin, Mufti of Tatarstan to discuss the promotion of halal tourism as well as potential hospitality investments in the Republic of Tatarstan. With a focus on further developing their halal tourism industry, the Mufti of Tatarstan highlighted TIME Hotels as the ideal hospitality brand to help with this mission, with over eight years of managing and operating halal friendly hotels in the UAE and across the Middle East.
“With more than one million visitors per year and rising, the Republic of Tatarstan is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Russia and is an ideal location to continue our international expansion of the TIME Hotels brand,” said Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels.
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Travel Bubbles: Our New Reality by Haifa Hussein
Travel bubbles are basically safe spaces that people can travel to and from without needing to go into quarantine. New Zealand and Australia have been hailed as nations that took quick and decisive actions in the initial stages of the Covid-19 outbreak and consequently managed to contain the pandemic swiftly. They have now forged an agreement called “the trans - Tasman travel bubble” that is basically seen as a road map that will set the stage for our new “normal”. Their citizens will be allowed to travel freely between the two countries once it is deemed safe.
New Zealand and Australia have expressed their openness to add more countries to their bubble once they have tested the effectiveness of their partnership. Pacific Island Nations, Canada, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea are countries that may be allowed to join this bloc.
In their footsteps, Baltic states like Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have also set up a “travel bubble” that will ease restrictions for their respective citizens only. Poland and Finland are also set to be allowed to join the Baltic bloc. Austria, Greece, Norway, Czech Republic and Israel are also in talks to set up a bubble. The main criteria for setting up these bubbles seem to be how well has the pandemic been contained within an area. It is indeed good news for the travel and tourism sectors of these countries but it leaves one to wonder whatever will happen to the worst hit countries like Italy, Spain, the United States and the United Kingdom or for that matter the rest of the world? Source: Reuters, BBC, CNN, HospitalityNet
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Halal Tourism
NEWS
International Travel: A Comeback or an Illusion by Haifa Hussein
Join us as we monitor the responses by the different Airlines and Airports on how they attempt to tackle their new scenario of parked aircrafts and empty terminals. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is encouraging the mandatory use of face coverings for both passengers and cabin crew. Interestingly, IATA doesn’t support blocking the middle seat to maintain social distancing to avoid exaggerated airfare prices. IATA is citing studies that show minimal risk of transmission of Covid-19 on board. Blocking the middle seats will reduce the number of seats an airline can sell and ultimately affect their profit margins. Instead, IATA proposes the following: • Temperature screening of passengers, airport crew and support staff • Providing hand sanitizer dispensers • Automated boarding, security and disembarking procedures that reduce interaction • Limiting movement during the flight • Intensive cleaning of aircrafts and airports • Catering that also reduces interaction Just like the hotel and accommodations sector, different airlines and airports are implementing varied new procedures to handle future travel needs and concerns.
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Halal Tourism
NEWS Some are as follows: 1) Emirates Airlines are conducting on site Covid -19 tests for passengers and issuing them with test certificates. The “customer is king� motto is making a major comeback with waiver policies, travel vouchers and full refunds. Checkin is maintained at 3 hours but you need to bring your own face mask and hand gloves and maintain social distancing at Dubai International Airport. Laptops, handbags, briefcase and baby items are the only things that can be checked in. Food and non alcoholic beverages will be offered in new packaging specifications that minimise contact. 2) Qatar Airways are offering greater flexibility with ticket validity, unlimited changes, travel vouchers, ticket swaps for miles and full refunds if necessary. Incidentally, Qatar airways is giving away 100,000 free tickets to Health care workers. A smart marketing tool to prove to other travellers that Qatar airways planes are indeed safe to fly in. Aircrafts are equipped with industrial size HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters that remove virus and bacteria from recirculated air. Aircrafts, lounges, blankets, cutlery and headsets are undergoing intensive sanitisation. Passengers are screened for Covid - 19 symptoms at Hamad International Airport.
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3) Lufthansa are requesting travelers to wear face coverings before reaching the airport, at the airport and throughout their entire flight. Social distancing reminders will be set up throughout Frankfurt Airport. Any additional hand luggage will be checked in free of charge. Contactless boarding using Quick Boarding Gates system will be utilised in addition to thorough cleaning and disinfection procedures of all aircrafts. 4) Air New Zealand is allowing customers to check in prior to arrival at the airport using their mobile app. High touch surfaces will be cleaned more frequently with staff ready to help. Social distancing markers will be set up throughout the airport as a constant reminder. Boarding will be done by zones to maintain social distancing while managing the seating arrangements which will be spaced out. Aircrafts will be sanitised and have hospital grade air filtration systems. Hand sanitizer will be more readily available. Upon arrival, you will be requested to remain seated until it is your turn to disembark.
5) Air Canada have come up with a comprehensive endto-end program called CleanCare+ which includes the following: • Face coverings for travelers and employees • Sanitizing counters, kiosks and other high touch areas frequently • Infrared temperature checks • Cabins and overhead bins sanitized using electrostatic sprayer • HEPA air filtration systems on board the aircrafts • Complimentary mask, gloves, sanitizer and disinfectant wipes • Pre-packaged meals • Adjacent seats blocked in economy class 6) Turkish Airlines are committing to a thorough cleaning of the inflight cabin, tray tables, armrests, seat belt buckles, inflight entertainment screen and other shared spaces. Head sets and blankets are replaced with new sets for each flight. Flights from high risk areas undergo a disinfectant fogging that has proven effective. HEPA filtration
systems have been implemented. Medical disinfectants are readily available on board and crew have been trained to handle any emergencies. 7) Southwest Airlines have developed a comprehensive plan called the “Southwest Promise” that covers the whole process from check-in to deplaning. • Electrostatic disinfectant and anti-microbial spray applied on every surface on board that acts as a shield for 30 days. • Disinfecting commonly used and high touch areas before every flight • Deep clean each plane every night • Plexiglas is installed at gates and ticket areas. • Employees have to use face coverings when interacting with customers • Gate areas, ticket counters and baggage claim areas cleaned more often • Hand sanitizer available at the airport and wipes are available on board • HEPA air filters onboard the aircrafts • Limiting the number of people on board so the middle seat is left unoccupied
• Customers can pick their seat but the first two to three and last two to three rows will be blocked • Boarding in groups of 10 and boarding from only one side • Travelers encouraged to wear face coverings • Download the mobile boarding pass before getting to the airport to reduce interaction • Arrive earlier to have enough time to complete all the necessary procedures • Maintain social distancing at the airport and on board • Floor markers to remind travelers about physical distancing • Snacks and beverages are not offered Travelers are presented with amazing deals to lure them to travel again. Travelers will definitely experience a better clean when they travel with more orderly and disciplined procedures being put in place but will this translate into more confidence to travel as often as we used to prior to the pandemic is something that we will have to watch closely. Sources: IATA, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, Southwest Airlines
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