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Hot Idea (TOP LEFT) LLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES 8 JAN-FEB 2019 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM M uslims are the fastest-growing religious group in the world. According to Pew Research Center, there were about 1.8 billion Muslims as of 2015, or about one in four of the global population — and many of them love to travel. Make no mistake: we are looking at a US$180 billion travel market that's set to grow even bigger. By 2020, it is expected that there will be 156 million Muslim travellers, a number that has been growing by nearly 30% since 2016. Get onboard with Muslim-friendly cruising WORDS WILL CHIN Genting Dream introduces Halal-certified restaurant and specialised activities to attract Muslim guests and MICE groups FAST FACTS • In 2017, there were an estimated 131 million Muslim visitor arrivals globally — up from 121 million in 2016 • By 2020, the Muslim travel market is expected to hit US$220 billion • By 2026, the estimated total purchase by Muslim travellers is set to rise to US$300 billion • The ASEAN region will welcome over 18 million Muslim visitor arrivals by 2020, representing close to 15% of the visitor arrivals to the region As such, it is in everyone's interest to focus on this signicant demographic in the years to come. A good place to start is to cater to Muslim attendees' dietary requirements. And while many in the travel industry are gradually introducing Halal options for Muslim travellers, Dream Cruises is showing others how it is done. Halal-certified cuisine In November 2018, Dream Cruises introduced its Halal cuisine options with Genting Dream, thus making it the only cruise ship in all of Asia to be granted the Halal certication by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia ( JAKIM). The certication pertains specically to The Lido, one of Genting Dream's most popular restaurants, which now oers a dedicated Halal buet section, complete with indoor and outdoor dining experience with a view of the open seas. However, getting the Halal certication is one thing — is the food any good? A quick glance at the food on oer should erase all doubts. According to The Lido's executive chef Saifol, some popular local favourites that Muslim cruisers can expect include 'Ayam Madu' (Honey chicken), 'Pari Asam Pedas' (Sour & Spicy Stingray), 'Opor Ayam' ( Javanese chicken in coconut milk), 'Tandoori Kambing' (Mutton tandoori), 'Gulai Daging Kawah' (traditional Dream Cruises is increasingly designing programmes for Muslim travellers