Indonesia Rises to Second in Global Muslim Tourism Ranking, Halal Certification Remains a Challenge

Indonesia has climbed to second place among global Muslim tourist destinations, a significant jump from its previous fifth-place ranking, according to the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2026. This achievement reflects progress across multiple sectors, as the index evaluates access, communication, environment, and services, requiring support from various ministries and agencies.

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According to GMTI 2026, Indonesia is the second-ranked Muslim tourist destination in the world after Malaysia.

While celebrating this advancement, officials acknowledge that substantial work remains. Strengthening the halal ecosystem, particularly securing halal certifications for hotels and restaurants, is identified as a pressing priority. The Ministry of Tourism is actively partnering with the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) to expedite this process for small and medium-sized enterprises and creative economy players. As of May 2026, over 31,500 halal certificates have been issued to businesses in 116 tourist villages across 34 provinces.

Beyond certification, the government is also focusing on enhancing sanitation and prayer facilities tailored to Muslim travelers' needs. Efforts include providing these amenities in airports, even in eastern Indonesia. Another challenge is public understanding of "Muslim-friendly tourism," which is sometimes misunderstood as an attempt to alter cultural or natural sites into religious destinations. The goal, officials clarify, is to allow Muslim tourists to enjoy unique destinations while fulfilling their religious obligations.

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We still have homework in terms of halal certification, especially for hotels and restaurants which are key to the availability of halal assurance in tourist destinations.

To bolster promotion, the Ministry of Tourism has launched a dedicated section on indonesia.travel. This platform offers information on attractions, Islamic heritage, places of worship, halal culinary zones, and Muslim-friendly tour packages. The government, in collaboration with Bank Indonesia and Bappenas, also organizes the Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI) to gauge regional readiness for Muslim tourists.

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What we hope for is that Muslim tourists continue to enjoy the uniqueness of the destination without neglecting their religious obligations.