A Tsim Sha Tsui hotel has been rejuvenated after promoting Muslim-friendly facilities and services and has seen a significant increase in guests from Asean countries, which accounted for 20 percent of overall customers last year, a senior executive says.
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In an exclusive interview with The Standard, Alexander Otto Wassermann, Miramar Group's head of hotels and serviced apartments, said it is crucial for Hong Kong to cater to Muslim travelers' needs as the huge market will bring substantial economic benefits to local sectors.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, in his policy address in October last year, stressed the importance of promoting Muslim-friendly tourism to attract more visitors from Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries.
"With a quarter of the world's population being Muslim, there is a significant market for travelers who need accommodations for business, meetings, exhibitions and leisure," Wassermann said.
"To maintain our status as Asia's world city, it is essential for us to cater to this demographic."
The Mira Hong Kong, near the Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, has Arabic-speaking staff and all rooms are equipped with Muslim-friendly facilities, he said.
Qibla signage - which points to the direction of the Kaaba sacred building at Mecca, toward which Muslims turn for prayer - is available in every room, and guests can request prayer mats and the Quran.
Guests can order in-room dining with a selection of halal food and menus in Arabic, Wassermann said.
The hotel also provides portable washlets that can be set up in rooms before arrival.
Mira has a level 4 score from CrescentRating, an internationally recognized halal travel promotion company that assesses venues' Muslim-friendliness from one to seven, with level 7 being the highest.
The hotel has also introduced halal menus at its Michelin-recommended Chinese restaurant Cuisine Cuisine.
Wassermann noted: "We have welcomed several groups and delegations ranging from six to 24 guests since introducing halal menu at Cuisine Cuisine, and all enjoyed our halal Chinese cuisine."
He added that the halal offerings have also attracted other customers.
The hotel bar Vibes offers waterpipe tobacco services from an Arabic-speaking shisha master, as well as halal snacks. The hotel also has a halal breakfast corner.
With these efforts, Wassermann said the proportion of guests from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations had surged to nearly 20 percent of all guests last year, and he expects a continued increase.
He added that the group is engaging with business partners in the Middle East and Southeast Asia to promote The Mira Hong Kong and its boutique hotel Mira Moon in Causeway Bay to Muslim tourists, particularly with the Eid Al-Fitr holiday approaching.
The hotel will continue to enhance room facilities and relevant training to promote a deeper understanding of Muslim culture among staff.
Wassermann hopes the city's flight capacity and the number of air carriers from the Middle East could be increased to facilitate more convenient travel.
"It can stimulate competition, which often leads to lower ticket prices; it makes travel to Hong Kong more accessible and attractive for a broader audience," he said. He also urged the hotel sector to engage in proactive sales efforts to increase Hong Kong's popularity among Muslim travelers.
Wassermann estimates that the hotel had reached over 90 percent occupancy in December, and is hopeful for a strong performance during the Lunar New Year holiday later this month, with tourists arriving in Hong Kong from around the world, including the Middle East.ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com
