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Islamic Hotels Will Soon Be a 'Riyal' Thing

March 7, 2008 at 12:52 PM | by | Comments (0)

A Reuters news item on Abdulla Mohamed Almulla, chairman of Dubai-based Almulla Hospitality, reports he has a hefty $2 billion plan to develop an Islamic-compliant hotel chain that appeals to lifestyle travelers -- both Muslim and non-Muslim.

Like friendly Disney and Universal Studio destinations that successfully continue to attract the Midwest family crowds, Almulla Hospitality's hotels will be built featuring Islamic code to attract Muslim (and non-Muslim) business and leisure guests. That includes no alcohol and Halal-food only.

Think Branson, but different. Separate floors for men and women who travel alone, prayer areas in the lobby and no-pork menus.

Almulla will reveal his hotel company plan in front of potential investors who will be attending the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference this May in Dubai. According to Almulla Hospitality, the plan includes building 90 multi-brand hotels in such destinations as Saudia Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Malaysia and Thailand.

Last July the Packaged Traveler Insider wrote that faith-based travel is one of the fastest growing markets, evolving from a one-time niche to mainstream. The article noted that religious travel earned a record $18 billion in 2006. Additionally, the World Tourism Organization reports that travelers from the Gulf Co-operation Council countries spend over $12 billion annually on leisure travel alone.

One has to wonder though. Will the new Islamic hotel wave create a flood in the Mideast travel market, with many of the world's leading hotel brands announcing the development and/or recent openings of spectacular 5-star hotel in the very same regions? (Cough. W hotels. Cough.) And what will travelers prefer? An Islamic-compliant hotel or one with signature cocktails and bikini-clad pools?

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