ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to becoming a global leader in Muslim-friendly (halal) tourism. Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana announced that Indonesia aims to be at the forefront as the world’s top destination for Muslim travelers.
Minister Widiyanti made the statement while delivering her keynote address at “The 7th International Halal in Tourism Summit 2025” held at JIEXPO Kemayoran, Jakarta, on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
“Indonesia is home to more than 230 million Muslims. With this unique strength, we should naturally lead the global development of Muslim-friendly tourism,” said Minister Widiyanti.
Indonesia Launches the Indonesia Muslim Travel Index 2025
As part of this strategic initiative, the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with Bank Indonesia, Enhaii Halal Tourism Center (EHTC), and Crescent Rating, officially launched the Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI) 2025.
The IMTI serves as a benchmark for assessing provincial readiness in meeting the standards of the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), using the ACES framework (Access, Communication, Environment, Services). This index provides a strategic tool to evaluate and enhance Indonesia’s halal tourism ecosystem.
“IMTI is not just a measurement tool. It’s a guide that aligns our national standards and certifications to ensure Muslim-friendly services are consistent and globally trusted,” explained Minister Widiyanti.
Top Five Provinces in IMTI 2025
Based on comprehensive assessments across 15 key provinces, the five best-performing regions in IMTI 2025 are:
1. West Java
2. West Sumatra
3. West Nusa Tenggara (NTB)
4. Aceh
5. Central Java
During the summit, Minister Widiyanti presented certificates of recognition to representatives from each of the top-performing provinces.
The initiative is expected to restore Indonesia’s position as the world’s number-one Muslim-friendly destination in the next edition of the GMTI global rankings.
Minister Widiyanti emphasized that Indonesia’s success in developing Muslim-friendly tourism will depend on strengthening three main pillars: attractions, accessibility, and amenities.
1. Attractions
Indonesia’s rich Islamic heritage is deeply woven into the nation’s cultural identity.
“We must continue to recognize, package, and promote these cultural treasures as unique Muslim-friendly experiences that showcase our national character and appeal to international visitors,” she said.
2. Accessibility
Improving air connectivity and travel convenience remains a key priority.
“We will fully utilize Indonesia’s 36 international airports to connect more visitors directly to destinations across the archipelago. Indonesia currently grants visa-free access and visa on arrival to citizens from over 100 countries — and we plan to expand these policies to further boost mobility,” the minister explained.
3. Amenities
Indonesia offers over 309,000 mosques and 376,000 prayer rooms located at airports, shopping centers, and tourist areas nationwide. The Ministry is also expanding halal certification coverage to 20 tourist villages across 15 provinces, ensuring travelers can easily access halal-certified products wherever they go.
To enhance accessibility and digital engagement, the Ministry of Tourism is developing a dedicated online portal for Muslim travelers, offering comprehensive information on destinations, accommodations, halal dining, and prayer facilities across Indonesia.
“We look forward to introducing this portal soon as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s Muslim-friendly tourism sector,” said Minister Widiyanti.
Minister Widiyanti concluded her remarks with a call for stronger collaboration across sectors.
“Let us ensure that Indonesia leads the global movement for Muslim-friendly tourism — with pride, professionalism, and a shared vision of prosperity,” she declared. (AT Network)
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