Inside the Muslim Travel Show 2025 – Key Takeaways & Industry Connections

The appetite for halal-friendly travel is bigger than ever, and the Muslim Travel Show held at the ExCeL London on the 22nd and 23rd of February proved how fast the industry is evolving. This wasn't just another trade event—it was a dynamic hub where businesses, experts, and passionate halal-conscious travellers came together, sharing ideas and developing new connections. Running alongside the Muslim Shopping Festival, the show didn’t just showcase destinations; it cemented itself as a crucial meeting point for those shaping the future of halal tourism.

A Global Stage for Halal Travel

Waleed Jahangir, the event's organiser (photo: MTS 25)

"The Muslim Travel Show continues to be a premier platform for halal-friendly tourism, and this year’s event was an incredible success," said Waleed Jahangir, the event’s organiser. With a strong international presence, exhibitors ranged from tourism boards to ethical travel companies, all showcasing tailored experiences for halal-conscious travellers. The enthusiasm from attendees reinforced the industry's rapid expansion, making it a vital hub for networking and learning. With such growth, destinations that offer rich cultural and faith-based experiences are gaining increased attention.

According to Jahangir, one of the most engaging sessions was hosted by Visit Sarajevo, the event’s official partner. Their talk, Explore Sarajevo’s Muslim-Friendly Tourism: A Journey of Faith and Culture, highlighted the city’s deep-rooted Islamic heritage and its growing appeal as a halal-friendly destination.

"The impact of their presence was evident, sparking intrigue and inspiration amongst those keen to explore Bosnia & Herzegovina," added Jahangir.

Conversations That Mattered

Hafsa Gaher & David Archer from Archer & Gaher Adventures, shed light on Africa’s rich Islamic history (photo: MTS 25)

The show wasn’t just about business; it was also about meaningful discussions. "Allah Never Abandoned Us: Bosnia & Herzegovina," presented by Sami Hamdi from Halal Travel Guide, is said to have left a lasting impression on attendees, diving into the country’s resilience and sacred significance. Other standout sessions included Sands of Time: Islamic Heritage Across Africa’s Stunning Islands by Archer & Gaher Adventures, which shed light on Africa’s rich Islamic history, and Setting Sail on the First Halal Cruise to Antarctica, introducing a whole new frontier in Muslim-friendly travel.

The rise of women-only travel was another major highlight. "Unlike larger shows like WTM or the Destinations Show, which focus more on selling destinations, this event allows me to meet the right people—those actively interested in halal-friendly travel and, more importantly, my niche of Muslim women travellers," said Sadia Ramzan, Founder & CEO of The Muslim Women Travel Group. Their session on The Rise of Women-Only Travel Adventures explored the increasing demand for tailored experiences that empower female Muslim travellers.

The Muslim Women Travel Group meeting and greeting and playing major part this year (photo: MTS 25)

A Platform for Growth and Connection

Saadia Baber's Xperience Pakistan showcasing their stand (photo: MTS 25)

For businesses, the Muslim Travel Show was more than just a networking event. "It was great to see so many people excited to travel and share their experiences," said Kamraan from Holiday Bosnia.

Saadia Baber, Founder of Xperience Pakistan, echoed this sentiment, noting that the diverse range of destinations and connections with fellow Muslim entrepreneurs made the event a valuable experience. "Travel bookings take time, so the financial benefit isn’t immediate, but the B2B networking was invaluable. I’ll potentially be working with agencies in Bosnia and Turkey.”

Soumaya Hamdi, Director of Halal Travel Guide, also highlighted the event’s impact on their business. “It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with travellers and showcase the growing demand for halal-friendly experiences. We were thrilled by the engagement at our stand—people loved our Trustpilot reviews and destination-themed postcards, and we’re taking their feedback on board to enhance future events.” 

She continued on to say, “Moving forward, we’re focusing on refining our messaging for solo travellers, families, and newcomers to group travel whilst strengthening our digital engagement to make it easier for travellers to find the right trip."

However, there were also areas for improvement. "The quality of stands should meet a minimum standard, and time management from some exhibitors was poor," added Saadia Baber. She also pointed out that some presentations focused too much on religious preaching rather than on destinations.

Halal Travel Guide found the event to have a great impact on their business (photo: MTS 25)

Looking Ahead

Variety of tourist board members, including Uzbekistan's ambassador, Sophie Ibbotson, who spoke at the event (photo: MTS 25)

With such overwhelming engagement, the demand for an even bigger platform is apparent. "We are exploring a larger venue space to ensure a better experience for exhibitors and visitors alike," Jahangir confirmed. "Our speaker sessions were a huge success, and we plan to expand this aspect of the show even further next year.”

This year’s event saw remarkable growth, with just over 20,000, surpassing last year’s numbers. "The overall growth was fantastic, and it was a great outing both in terms of turnout and commercial success," Jahangir added.

Beyond the business success, the event also served as a reminder of the strong personal bonds within the halal travel community. A particularly touching moment was the tribute given to a brother from Zaarvel Tours, who sadly passed away just a few weeks ago. The heartfelt remembrance underscored how the industry is not just about travel—it’s about the people behind it.

(Photo: MTS 25)

For many in the industry, the Muslim Travel Show remains the go-to event for halal tourism, offering opportunities to learn, collaborate, and grow. As Hafsa Gaher, CEO of Halal Travel Network, summed up, "I managed to get some collaborations and partnerships in motion, which will hopefully be fruitful. The camaraderie with friends and colleagues was fantastic. Overall, it was a great show."

With plans already underway for next year’s edition, the Muslim Travel Show is set to grow even further, cementing its status as a must-attend event in the halal travel calendar.