What is the difference between mainstream tourism and Islamic tourism?

Islamic tourism is different than mainstream tourism in many ways. Islamic tourism or halal tourism is geared toward respecting the religious principles of Muslim travelers.  For Muslims, their religion is an important part of how they live their lives on a daily basis.  Halal tourism keeps this in mind and offers a number of vacation destinations in which the adherent does not have to compromise his or her faith.  Halal tourism has a number of differences from mainstream tourism:

• Alcohol is not served in vacation destinations that are considered Islamic tourist venues.


• Prayer facilities are provided on site so the adherent may complete their daily prayer responsibility.


• Food menus reflect Islamic law and dietary practice.


• There are separate swimming and bathing facilities for males and females.

While some of these alterations would detract from the vacation experience for most Westerners, it removes many of the temptations that exist in traditional tourist destinations for the more than one billion people who practice Islam.