SINGAPORE: A Singapore-based company has launched a mobile application that enables Muslim foodies and travelers to share halal restaurant discoveries around the world.
The free “HalalTrip” app, available for Apple iOS and Android devices, enables users to take and upload photos of halal dishes, write comments and share them through social media.
Clicking on a photo gives details about the dish as well as the location of the restaurant. The app, which has English and Arabic interfaces, also uses a traveler’s location to display photos of halal dishes served in nearby restaurants.
The term halal is used for food, products and services that comply with Islamic requirements.
“Halal food is one of the biggest drivers of tourism for the Muslim market,” said Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of HalalTrip, part of a Muslim-oriented business group called CrescentRating.
“When traveling, one of the main concerns of Muslims is halal food. What we did is to bring in a social media element into discovering halal food and making it more fun and more intuitive,” he said.
Fazal predicted the Muslim travel market would be worth $192 billion a year globally by 2020, up from $140 billion in 2013.
Singapore firm launches mobile app for halal foodies
Singapore firm launches mobile app for halal foodies
Where We Are Going Today: ‘The Roof’ at the Jeddah Edition Hotel
- I made my way to the mocktail bar, where the menu featured several options
With the first hint of winter settling over Jeddah, rooftop spaces across the city are gradually coming back to life after the long, humid summer.
Among them is The Roof at the Jeddah Edition Hotel, where I was recently invited to experience the atmosphere, food offerings, and evening setting.
The moment I stepped onto the rooftop, the scene carried a familiar coastal warmth, comfortable and understated yet framed by the luxury the hotel is known for. On one side, the Formula One circuit curves in view, while the city skyline and the Jeddah Yacht Club stretch outward, catching a beautiful sunset that softened the horizon and reminded me of why the city’s rooftops feel most alive at this time of year.
I made my way to the mocktail bar, where the menu featured several options. I chose the passionfruit blend — cold, tangy, and lightly sweet. The presentation was good, with a dried orange garnish and a small paper straw.
The soundtrack of the evening was shaped by the hotel’s resident DJ, who alternated between Arabic and Western melodies with live percussion, pairing well with the cool breeze drifting across the terrace.
I sampled mini burgers, tacos, and a mushroom-and-onion pasta from the live station. Later, after meeting a friend, we shared dessert, churros paired with a latte, while sitting near the pool. The water was inviting, though the evening wasn’t quite cool enough for a swim.
The Roof has SR150 ($40) minimum spend per person starting from 6:00 p.m.
