A London-based company has launched a new portal to reach out to 1.8 billion Muslim travellers from across the globe who are looking for Halal options for accommodations for short and long stays.

The newest player in the peer-to-peer rental accommodation market - Bookhalalhomes.com - is the first of its kind platform to provide a community-driven services for Muslim travellers.

The halal tourism market, once seen as a niche revenue stream and limited to those travelling to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, is widening to cater to those who travel worldwide for business and leisure.

With a surge in demand, the company is now planning to set up bases in Dubai and Kuala Lumpur as their Middle East and South East Asia headquarters during the second leg of their expansion by the end of 2017, said Karima Bihaki, the founder and CEO of Book Halal Home.

"Why Dubai? We see Dubai as a hub of the highest potential region for us. Following the launch of ‘Dubai The Capital of Islamic Economy’ project under the visionary command of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai has become the magnet for Halal investments,” stated Bihaki, who currently runs an Islamic market consultancy business in London.

She started this online community platform after recognising that there was a need for more Muslim-friendly holiday accommodations.

As someone who, for many years, hosted guests in her own home and rented out short-term accommodations whilst travelling with her family or for business, she wanted to contribute to the Islamic travel market in particular, and Islamic economy in general.

When asked in a media interview what led her to set up Book Halal Homes, she said: "As a Muslim woman, I feel safer,  more myself, and enjoy my time away more when staying in a private home as opposed to a packed noisy hotel."

Bihaki pointed that Book Halal Homes-listed accommodations are required to fulfil certain criteria before getting approval.

"The key amenities include halal food, non-alcoholic drinks, non-smoking areas, private pool and spa, prayer facilities on site, leisure facilities for traveling men, women or families and business facilities for business travellers," she added.-TradeArabia News Service