Polish Tourism Managers Facing the Phenomenon of Halal Tourism – Results of Pilot Studies

Abstract:

The currently experienced dynamic development of Halal tourism (HT), measured e.g. by the growing number of Muslim tourists and the value of expenses they incur, has its implications for both the global tourism market and also for the local markets. Taking advantage of the potential benefits resulting from this growth by tourism managers operating outside the Islamic world, including Poland, forces them to recognize, understand and accept the expectations presented by Muslim tourists regarding the consumed services and desiring to observe the principles of their religion. The purpose of the article was to present the opinions of the local tourism sector representatives about the possibilities and determinants of HT development. Based on the results of pilot surveys, the research hypothesis was falsified as follows: domestic tourism managers perceive HT as their development niche. Rejecting the adopted hypothesis was based on the identification of factors/characteristics referring to the managers themselves, their attitudes and activities (internal premises) and also the ones describing space (economic and socio-cultural) in which they pursue their business objectives (external premises).