Recognition matters because it simplifies choice. For the tenth consecutive year, Malaysia sits at the top of CrescentRating’s Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI). The 2025 score: 79 out of 100 across 153 destinations – with seamless access to halal food, prayer spaces, accommodation quality, and a reputation for safety and welcome.
The milestone, conferred at the Halal in Travel Awards in Singapore, is not merely symbolic; it’s a buy signal for families and tour operators comparing destinations.
Critically, GMTI’s newer lenses: Muslim Women-Friendly Destinations and Muslim-Friendly Accessible Travel, align with Malaysia’s inclusive stance, from multigenerational family trips to neurodivergent-friendly experiences.
Our sustained achievement in GMTI reflects not only consistency but the collective efforts of government, industry and stakeholders… Muslim-friendly tourism is no longer a niche.
Under GMTI’s ACES-style criteria (accessibility, transport, safety, overall Muslim-friendliness), Malaysia’s strengths extend from hard infrastructure to a culture of hospitality. The implication is clear: standards and empathy translate into competitive advantage.
The international landscape is getting more competitive as non-OIC destinations from Singapore and the United Kingdom (UK) to Taiwan and Thailand, raise their game for Muslim travellers. Malaysia’s response is to stay the benchmark: scale recognitions, deepen accessibility, and sustain international visibility through MOUs, thought leadership and ITM storytelling that shows, not just says, why Malaysia works for Muslim travellers.
