Shebs Alom
The Halal Travel Network’s (HTN) latest webinar, ‘The Wonders of Cappadocia,’ on Thursday, July 24th, was a lively presentation and brought together a global mix of travel agents, group trip planners, and tourism professionals, all curious about how to tap into the growing demand for halal-conscious travel.
Cappadocia has something quite mesmerising about it. Our attendees had the taste of the place being otherworldly with its fairy chimneys and ancient caves, a place that feels like it was carved out for dreamers. Ideal for a halal-conscious traveller as it’s not just about the scenery, the destination is filled with culture, faith, and gastronomy.
I hosted the engaging webinar and guided the conversation with our two distinguished speakers. Hassan Bulbul, who recently received the Halal Travel Influencer of the Year at CrescentRating in Singapore, is known for his captivating narratives and unique perspective on faith-conscious travel. We then had Mithat, who was representing the Cappadocia-based Şah Saray Cave Suites, and offered invaluable insights into the hotel and the region's history, culture and dedicated services.
Why Cappadocia?
A Stunning setting for all holidaymakers (photo: Şah Saray)
With a flourish of stunning visuals and personal anecdotes, as I have travelled to this beautiful setting, I was able to paint a picture of Cappadocia as an unparalleled dream destination for Muslims, in particular for couples going on their honeymoon. The biggest attraction for Cappadocia is the sunrise and sunset hot air balloon rides, where you can experience serenity as the sun greets the horizon in the morning and evening, giving the landscape a surreal feeling. I also delved into how people can embark on scenic hikes through ancient valleys and soak in panoramic viewpoints that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Beyond the visual spectacle, highlighting that Cappadocia offers essential faith-based amenities, including readily available prayer spaces, clear Qibla directions, and a growing array of halal food options, was a significant discussion point within the webinar, as was its mindful approach to privacy.
Şah Saray: A Sanctuary of Halal Luxury
Luxurious rooms for your comfort (photo: Şah Saray)
Our main talking point was the first halal-certified cave hotel, Şah Saray. We established that the magnificent 12-room luxury cave hotel in Göreme is a testament to the increasing demand for values-based hospitality. Mithat, the hotel's local guide, explained, “Şah Saray prides itself on exclusively halal-certified meals and maintaining a strictly alcohol-free environment.”
Hassan Bulbul weighed into the discussion and explained his experience from when he visited: "It offered stunning rooms complete with private jacuzzis, and you had traditional Turkish baths, and spacious family suites. They also provided in-room prayer mats and Qurans for guest convenience.”
Hafsa Gaher explained from her visit, and from a female standpoint, that the hotel “caters to women-only groups with the option of female guides for enhanced comfort and privacy.” She also shared, “This often includes features particularly beneficial for women, and a general focus on creating a modest and respectful environment.”
Whilst it is not exclusively a women-only hotel, its halal certification and specific amenities can make it a very suitable and comfortable choice for female travellers seeking a culturally sensitive and private experience.
Exquisite dining with the restaurant's history surpassing 400 years (photo: Şah Saray)
Another significant topic of discussion was the hotel's gastronomy. Whilst there are exquisite dining experiences all around Cappadocia, the hotel’s restaurant, with its rich 400-plus-year heritage, promises a genuine, authentic culinary journey. Bulbul, Gaher, and Mithat all mentioned that the cuisine, not just at this restaurant but all over Cappadocia, makes it worth visiting the destination all on its own.
Mithat enthusiastically reinforced that the region is experiencing a surge of interest from Muslim travellers seeking experiences aligned with their values. He also shared a valuable insider tip, that: “winter is one of Cappadocia's most beautiful and surprisingly underrated seasons, offering a magical landscape without the peak-season crowds.”
Aerial view of the hotel (photo: Şah Saray)
Şah Saray further enhances the experience with tailored itineraries, private tours, and immersive cultural activities such as ceramics workshops, traditional carpet weaving, and insightful mosque visits.
Mithat also explained the history by saying, “Cappadocia’s fascinating history traces the evolution of tourism from 1970s hostels to today's elegant boutique cave hotels. It is beautifully illustrated that Cappadocia is an intersection of Muslim and Christian history, a place where diverse spiritual narratives intertwine.”
Another thing to point out is that Cappadocia’s location makes it easy to access significant nearby cities like Konya (home of the revered Rumi) and Kayseri (boasting magnificent Islamic madrasas and monuments). With two convenient airports, Cappadocia is also incredibly easy to combine with other captivating Turkish destinations, making it an ideal stop on a broader journey.
Hassan's Journey: A Muslim Lens on Travel
Another spectacular setting (photo: Şah Saray)
Hassan Bulbul shared a profound, personal, and inspiring account of his journey. His passion was ignited by his late father’s love for Islamic architecture and photography. Recognising a significant void in representation, Bulbul began documenting destinations through, as he put it, a "Muslim lens, aiming to show how faith can enrich the travel experience.”
He reiterated that his first visit to Cappadocia was driven by a desire for a faith-conscious experience, leading him directly to the welcoming embrace of Şah Saray. He powerfully articulated, “There is a growing demand for Muslim-friendly hotels, prayer-friendly locations, and crucial modesty and privacy considerations, citing the example of private spa facilities for hijabi women.”
The first and only halal certified cave hotel in Cappadocia (photo: Şah Saray)
He also said that even though the hot air balloon is the most popular activity in the region, there are plenty of other things to do, such as horse riding. He suggested that as Cappadocia becomes more popular, it will likely adapt even more activities to enhance the stay of its visitors.
Bulbul's ultimate goal resonates with many: “My aim is to empower halal-conscious travellers to choose destinations that genuinely respect their lifestyle confidently. Collaborating with hotels like Şah Saray to produce content that thoughtfully centres prayer, halal food, local masjids, and Muslim heritage sites is vital for a Muslim traveller.”
He strives to reposition iconic destinations like Cappadocia through his work as a deeply spiritually nourishing journey.
(Photo: Şah Saray)
‘The Wonders of Cappadocia’ webinar was a compelling testament to the vibrant growth of halal travel and the increasing sophistication of offerings like Şah Saray. It highlighted a destination that seamlessly caters to the holistic needs of a halal-conscious traveller, blending adventure, culture, and faith.
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About the Author
Shebs Alom