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The Halal Travel & Taste Summit 2026, a unique professional and business event connecting tourism, gastronomy, economy and international cooperation through the theme of halal tourism as one of the fastest growing segments of the global tourism industry, will be held in Zagreb on 18 June 2026.
The Summit will take place in the Congress Hall of the Islamic Centre in Zagreb, starting at 10:00. The concept of the programme, under the theme "Halal as a global tourism trend", combines three key dimensions of the event: a professional forum for education and knowledge exchange, a business platform for networking among domestic and international partners and an experiential gastronomic event through the presentation and tasting of halal food. Special emphasis at this year's Summit is placed on the application of the halal standard in gastronomy as an important element of the tourist experience. Participants will have the opportunity to taste halal delicacies prepared under the mentorship of the renowned Turkish chef Özgür Koca, thereby complementing theoretical discussions on halal standards with an authentic gastronomic experience. The combination of education, business networking and top-quality gastronomy confirms the innovative nature of the Halal Travel & Taste Summit concept.
Today, halal tourism represents one of the fastest growing and most profitable segments of the global tourism market, opening up significant business opportunities for destinations, investors and tourism companies worldwide. According to the latest Global Muslim Travel Index 2025 (GMTI), produced by CrescentRating, the number of international trips by Muslim tourists reached 176 million in 2024. Projections show that this number will increase to 245 million by 2030, confirming a strong upward trend and the growing influence of this market on the global tourism sector. "Halal tourism is simultaneously an indicator of a destination's quality, safety, sustainability and inclusivity," stated Muhamed Mandžić, Head of the Centre for Halal Quality Certification in Zagreb.
"We are launching the Halal Travel & Taste Summit with the aim of opening a professional dialogue on the potential that Croatia has in this strong market. By hosting the Summit, Croatia positions itself on the global tourism map as a halal-friendly destination and Zagreb as a city that strategically develops high-quality cultural and tourist content adapted to the needs of modern guests. The event also contributes to positioning Croatia as a modern tourist destination that actively invests in the development of year-round tourism, recognising the importance of new markets, cultural diversity and sustainable development models, creating foundations for long-term international cooperation and economic growth through the innovation of the tourist offer," stated Sunčana Matić from LUX Promocija, the organiser of the Halal Travel & Taste Summit.
Today, the halal standard transcends religious boundaries and increasingly represents a globally recognised indicator of quality, safety, health, sustainability and responsible business. Despite this, the potential of halal for Croatia's tourism development is still not sufficiently recognised, which the Summit aims to change through education, dialogue and connecting key stakeholders.
The Halal Travel & Taste Summit is organised by LUX Promocija in co-organisation with the Centre for Halal Quality Certification, under the patronage of the Mešihat of the Islamic Community in Croatia, the Medžlis of the Islamic Community Zagreb, the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Croatia and the City of Zagreb. The project is supported by the Zagreb Tourist Board, the Croatian Chamber of Economy, the Yunus Emre Institute, CMPA, UHPA and the Croatian Standards Institute.
The Summit will gather representatives of the tourism sector, hotel industry, gastronomy, economy, institutions, diplomatic corps and certification experts to discuss the potential of the halal standard as an important factor in the development of modern tourism and the economy.
Programme
09:30 – 10:00 Registration of participants
10:00 – 11:00 Opening speeches
11:00 – 12:00 Panel discussion 1: Halal as a global tourism trend Panellists: Ömer Ünsal Okçu, Director of the Turkish Airlines Office in the Republic of Croatia, Ana Bogović, Hotel Manager, Hilton Hotels Zagreb, Zoran Šimunić, Director of Naše klasje d.o.o.
12:05 – 12:30 Master Class, Waleed Jahangir, CEO of the London Halal Tourism Show and Chairman of the British Islamic Trade Association
12:30 – 12:50 Refreshment break
12:50 – 13:10 Panel discussion 2: Building trust through halal standards and certification Panellist: Marina Babić, Croatian Standards Institute
13:10 – 14:10 Panel discussion 3: Halal standards and certification in tourism practice Panellists: Ivona Buljević, Grand Hotel View, Postira, Brač, Sanja Peterlić, Supera kvaliteta, Damir Alihodžić, Agency for Halal Quality Certification BiH, Dario Kožul, Biomania
14:15 Reception and tasting of halal food prepared under the mentorship of the renowned Turkish chef Özgür Koca
Admission to the Summit is free until the hall is filled, subject to prior confirmation of attendance. Contacts for information and confirmation of attendance: info@lux-promocija.com, centar@halal.hr.
