Muslim-friendly Dining Certification: 16 Businesses Make the List

By MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported

 

With increasing international travel and growing numbers of Muslim tourists visiting Taiwan, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has commissioned the Chinese Muslim Association to actively guide domestic restaurants and hotels in improving their hospitality environments and obtaining relevant certification marks. Since last September, a six-month assessment and guidance program has been carried out, resulting in the certification of 16 dining establishments across seven counties and cities in Taiwan. This includes the first two certified restaurants at Taiwan’s gateway — Taoyuan Airport — while three five-star hotels, including the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Farglory Hotel Shan-Keng Branch in New Taipei City, have also made the list.

The Tourism Bureau and the Chinese Muslim Association have issued the “Halal Dining Certification” mark and the “Muslim Friendly Restaurant Certification” mark to both Muslim-owned and non-Muslim-owned food and accommodation businesses. The 16 certified restaurants are spread across seven counties and cities in Taiwan, including Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan County, Taichung City, Tainan City, Hualien County, and Taitung County. In addition to one Muslim-friendly restaurant each in the departure area and the food court of Taoyuan International Airport, certified establishments also include the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Farglory Hotel Shan-Keng Branch, a five-star hotel in New Taipei City, the Tayih Landis Hotel in Tainan City, and the Naluwan Hotel in Taitung City. This shows that Taiwan’s tourism and hospitality industry is gradually understanding the Muslim traveler market, with its travel environment becoming more internationalized.

Due to the uniqueness and specific regulations of the Muslim market, the Muslim world avoids pork, and seafood, chicken, duck, and beef must undergo special blood-draining processes and be blessed with Quranic recitation before they can be consumed. Du Yu-chi, vice president of the Farglory Hotel Shan-Keng Branch — one of the certified establishments — said: “The Farglory Hotel Shan-Keng Branch ensures that all ingredients, sources, and suppliers are approved by Muslim standards. All ingredients and sauces on the menu have been developed under the approval of Muslim organizations.”

 

 

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