Indonesia Leads 2023 Global Halal Tourism Index

Welcome to the cutting-edge resource that is revolutionizing halal travel – the 2023 Global Halal Tourism Index. In a significant leap forward for the country’s burgeoning travel industry, Indonesia has been named the Top Muslim Friendly Destination of 2023, according to the Mastercard Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI). This prestigious recognition was announced at the GMTI 2023 event held in Singapore, marking a notable improvement from Indonesia’s second-place finish in the previous year.

The announcement was met with surprise and delight by Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister, Sandiaga Uno, who had initially targeted the top spot for 2025. “We were pleasantly surprised to find that Indonesia had ascended to the first place in the Global Muslim Travel Index,” Uno said on Saturday, June 3. “Our team’s meticulous preparation and execution of our finest programs have led to this early achievement.”

Uno was quick to credit the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders for this accomplishment. Key contributors included the Indonesian Halal Tourism Association (PPHI), Halal In Travel, Mastercard Crescent, and several other collaborators who played instrumental roles but were not specifically named.

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This collaborative effort resulted in PPHI securing two major awards. In addition to the Top Muslim Friendly Destination of the Year from the Mastercard Crescent Rating GMTI Awards, PPHI also won the Stakeholder Awareness Campaign of the Year from the Halal In Travel Awards 2023.

Uno expressed ambitious goals for the future of Indonesia’s halal tourism industry. “We are aiming to accommodate 8.5 million tourists through halal tourism,” he said, underscoring the country’s commitment to expanding this sector.

According to the tourism ministry’s website, Indonesia boasts five halal destinations that are part of the Indonesia Muslim Travel Index. These destinations, which span across Aceh, Lombok, West Sumatra, Riau Islands, and Jakarta, offer a diverse range of experiences for Muslim travelers.

This recognition of Indonesia as the top Muslim-friendly destination is a testament to the country’s ongoing efforts to cater to the unique needs of Muslim travelers. It also underscores the potential of the halal tourism sector as a significant contributor to Indonesia’s economy. As the country continues to innovate and expand its offerings, the future of Indonesia’s halal tourism industry looks promising. Embark on a journey of seamless halal experiences, guided by the invaluable insights and recommendations of the 2023 Global Halal Tourism Index.