day World Halal Travel Summit & Exhibition (WHTS15), the world's largest international gathering of organizations, government officials and professionals dedicated to developing, and investing in, global Halal tourism, was officially opened Monday by Jasem Mohammed Saeed Al Darmaki, acting Director-General, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority; Halabooking.com reveals the popularity of Muslim-friendly holidays is soaring faster than any other travel sector in the world. HalalBooking.com's London HQ, a global leader in the Halal travel industry, has seen a tremendous rise in halal-conscious holiday bookings in 2015. "Our sales tripled in the first 3 quarters of 2015 compared to the same period last year. We have had sales in the millions per hotel aiming to hit tens of millions next year. This is the result of our hard work to provide the best search and booking experience for halal-conscious travellers. "In 2016 we are aiming to build on this success and to expand our portfolio of properties extensively and to launch new destinations in Western Europe and Asia Pacific", said Ufuk Secgin, Chief Marketing Officer at HalalBooking.com. The announcement comes just days before HalalBooking.com embarks as the "Global Markets Partner" on the World Halal Travel Summit & Exhibition (WHTS15). "Halal tourism is growing at six percent per annum, faster than any other travel sector. Subsequently, the global Halal travel market is projected to be worth approx. $200 billion by 2020." "Hence the halal travel industry deserves a fitting event such as WHTS15, purely focusing on the halal tourism sector and we are proud to be able to contribute with our expertise and market knowledge to the success of this unique gathering", Ufuk Secgin added. The event will attract government officials and professionals developing, and investing in global Halal tourism. Over 6,000 participants, including travel and tourism professionals and agencies, hospitality groups and hoteliers, tour operators, developers, destinations and key industry decision makers from around the globe are scheduled to attend, in addition to over 200 international exhibitors and sponsors. WHTS15 Event Director Andy Buchanan, said: "WHTS15 is the largest gathering of Halal travel professionals ever assembled. Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Government the summit comprises of conference, 12,000sqm of exhibition space and The World Halal Travel Awards, which will take place at Emirates Palace on Oct. 20. "Delegates from fifty-two countries have registered to attend the summit and are supported by numerous ministerial delegations. The summit welcomes over 200 exhibitors and sponsors with national pavilions from many of the leading Muslim majority countries. — SG
