As changing attitudes and US President Donald Trump's travel ban alienate Muslim tourists from traditionally popular destinations such as the US, other countries stand to cash in from the growing number of Muslim tourists globally - and South Africa is one of them. Khalid Vawda's Johannesburg-based specialised halaal tour operator, Islamic Travels and Tours, illustrates the possibilities this trend presents. In the two years Vawda has been operating his business he has seen sustained growth, with queries from Muslim tourists now arriving daily. "For halaal tourism in South Africa we are just about scratching the surface," Vawda said. "Previously, the international Muslim market was primarily centred on religious travel, which would be Mecca and Medina for pilgrimage. "The new generation of Muslim tourists, who are professional, have huge disposable income and have grown up in the West, want to experience, in addition to pilgrimage, Muslim-friendly holidays all over the world. And th...
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