At the 6th International Halal Tourism Summit on Thursday, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said that Indonesia was named the best Muslim-friendly destination in 2023 and again in 2024 in the Mastercard Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index.
According to a statement issued by her office on Friday, Indonesia also ranked first in the list of world halal tourist destinations in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) in 2023, outperforming 140 other countries.
The minister said that the government is strengthening relations with industry players, expanding the market, promoting halal exports, increasing public understanding of halal tourism, and attracting investment to the halal industry to support the development of halal tourism.
The implementation of activities such as the 2024 Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF) has supported the effort to make Indonesia the main destination for global Muslim-friendly tourism, she added.
"Such event offers more opportunity to promote the halal industry and make Indonesia as the top of mind for Muslim tourists in the world," Wardhana explained.
She then asked related parties to improve Indonesia's halal tourism and introduce the nation's beauty to the world.
Meanwhile, the ministry's deputy for industry and investment, Rizki Handayani, said that improvements in attractions, amenities, and collaboration between stakeholders can improve halal tourism in Indonesia.
"This is not merely about defeating neighboring countries to become Number 1. However, we should improve ourselves according to the aspects assessed in the Mastercard Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index," she emphasized.
She added that the global Muslim population of around two billion offers a great opportunity for halal tourism businesses and the development of domestic halal products.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma S, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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