More Tourists pick Cape Town for Ramadan

Cape Town - Muslim countries are fast emerging economies with higher than average global population growth rates and their expenditure is expected to outpace a number of Cape Town’s key source markets into the year 2020, according to Cape Town Tourism (CTT).

More Muslim tourists are choosing Cape Town for its cooler weather this time of year, according to CTT.

Muslims constitute about 23% of the world’s total population, and Muslim travellers are estimated to spend more than $126bn on tourism annually.

"A number of Cape Town establishments are hosting Muslim tourists during the month of June," said CTT in a statement issued on Monday.

"Many Muslim families are relaxing before Ramadan starts at the end of the month and some are also choosing to spend Ramadan in Cape Town for its cooler temperatures and shorter days."

According to CTT Muslim tourists actually enjoy spending time in the Mother City all year round.

"The Cape is intricately connected to Muslim history," said CTT.

"Amongst the stories is that of Prince Abdullah Kadi Abu Salaam of Tidore, Indonesia, who was exiled to Cape Town in 1767."

He wrote a copy of the Quran from memory during his incarceration and the volume is still preserved in Cape Town.

This and many other connections makes Cape Town an ideal leisure destination, offering a wide variety of top halaal restaurants, accommodation and activities catering for families that abide by these religious and lifestyle practices.

“Cape Town is blessed to be a city with a lot of Mosques - the Bo Kaap has nine Mosques alone and there are many Mosques in the central city area too," said Gamidah Jacobs, owner of the Bo Kaap based Lekka Kombuis.

As for foods, Cape Town has halaal fast food outlets as well as Cape Malay food options.

The growing Muslim tourism market

A joint study by DinarStandard and Crescentrating show the  majority of Muslims travel for leisure.

The top three answers on what was most important when travelling for leisure were halaal food (67%), overall price (53%) and a Muslim-friendly experience” (49%).

“Cape Town prides itself on being part of a very tolerant society. It is home to many different cultures and religions that are accepted and expressed in the Mother City," said Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy.

"It has always had a thriving Malay community and our locals present excellent and authentic halal offerings."