Malaysia named top Muslim-friendly travel destination for 10th straight year
KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — Malaysia has once again reaffirmed its position as the world's leading Muslim-friendly travel destination, clinching the 'Top Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year' title in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025, marking a decade of dominance since the inception of the index.
The prestigious accolade was presented at the 4th Halal in Travel Awards held in Singapore, with Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, accepting the award on Malaysia's behalf.
In his acceptance speech, Khairul Firdaus described the recognition as a proud milestone for the nation, and a tribute to the dedication of industry players, government agencies, and local communities in positioning Malaysia as a welcoming destination for Muslim travelers worldwide.
'This award reflects the collective efforts of our tourism stakeholders who continue to champion inclusivity, accessibility and excellence in hospitality,' he said.
The GMTI, developed by CrescentRating, has been tracking the performance of destinations in the Muslim travel segment since 2015. Malaysia has consistently led the rankings, underscoring its strong commitment to building and enhancing Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure and services.
Khairul Firdaus also acknowledged the pivotal role of the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), which he described as the driving force behind Malaysia's achievements.
He highlighted ITC's flagship initiatives, including the Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition (MFAR) program and the Muslim-Friendly Tourist Guides (MFTG) certification, as key enablers of industry-wide service excellence.
'In Malaysia, hospitality is not an afterthought – it is part of who we are. It is deeply rooted in our culture, our heritage and our national tourism policies,' he said, adding that the ultimate goal is to ensure every traveler feels welcomed, respected and at ease.
He also expressed appreciation to CrescentRating and Mastercard for their unwavering commitment in promoting Muslim-friendly travel through platforms such as the Halal in Travel Global Summit.
As the global Muslim travel market continues to grow, Khairul Firdaus noted that recognition such as this not only encourages healthy competition among destinations, but also affirms the increasing consumer influence of Muslim traveler in shaping global tourism trends.
Looking ahead, he extended a warm invitation to travelers around the world to experience Visit Malaysia Year 2026, promising vibrant festivities, diverse cultures and unforgettable experiences. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
33 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Loke: CAAM to go independent, merge with Mavcom on August 1, saving RM1.5b in public funds
PUTRAJAYA, June 23 — The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) will become an independent statutory body with separated and exempted remuneration starting August 1, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook announced today. He said the move is expected to save the government between RM1.5 billion and RM2 billion over the next decade. 'The government approved this move on June 11. This means that the statutory body will no longer require financial injections from the government through annual allocations, and at the same time, it will also not be bound by the government's remuneration system. 'It is both exempted and separated from the Government. So, in other words, it will become a body that is financially and administratively independent,' he said at a press conference at his ministry's headquarters. Loke also announced that August 1 has been set as the date for CAAM's merger with the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom). MORE TO COME
Malay Mail
34 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Loke: CAAM to split from government on August 1, saving RM1.5b in public funds
PUTRAJAYA, June 23 — The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) will become an independent statutory body with separated and exempted remuneration starting August 1, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook announced today. He said the move is expected to save the government between RM1.5 billion and RM2 billion over the next decade. 'The government approved this move on June 11. This means that the statutory body will no longer require financial injections from the government through annual allocations, and at the same time, it will also not be bound by the government's remuneration system. 'It is both exempted and separated from the Government. So, in other words, it will become a body that is financially and administratively independent,' he said at a press conference at his ministry's headquarters. Loke also announced that August 1 has been set as the date for CAAM's merger with the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom). MORE TO COME
Malay Mail
34 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Ara Damansara Restoran Do Re Mi 123's Ipoh curry ‘mee' stall to relocate to Bandar Kinrara Restoran BK 33 Kopitiam
PETALING JAYA, June 23 — This Ipoh curry mee stall located in Restoran Do Re Mi 123 will be serving its last bowls of curry mee there today. Stall owner Yap Kian Fung confirmed that he will be opening at Restoran BK 33 Kopitiam on June 26. Yap has garnered a solid fan base for his rich curry mee offerings served with poached chicken and roast pork over the last18 years. His devoted diners made a beeline to this Ara Damansara coffee shop. Today is the last day to relish this bowl of rich curry 'mee' with roast pork and poached chicken at Ara Damansara Restoran Do Re Mi 123 before the stall relocate to Bandar Kinrara on June 26. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi A year ago, Yap told Malay Mail he felt business had dwindled, most probably due to the rise of new coffee shops around the area. Moreover with the heat, many diners avoid the coffeeshop during lunch time as the main dining area is not air conditioned and protected by canopies to ward off the glaring sunlight. 2. One can also opt for dry curry 'mee' with roast pork and smooth poached chicken served with a bowl of soup on the side. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi Yap, who lives in Puchong, decided to relocate his stall to Bandar Kinrara, an area with higher foot traffic. Getting into Restoran BK 33 Kopitiam was not easy as many others were also bidding for the spot but luckily he succeeded. Stall owner Yap Kian Fung has been selling curry mee for about 18 years. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi This morning, his assistant was going around their current space to inform their regular customers about the move which has been kept under wraps until now. Yap is hopeful business will improve there, especially since the coffee shop is air conditioned, making it easier for office workers to grab lunch in a cooler space. Currently a small bowl of curry mee with poached chicken is RM9, while the larger size is RM10. For the roast pork curry mee, it's RM10 for a small bowl and RM11 for a big bowl. Their new place of business starts from June 26 at Restoran BK 33 Kopitiam, Bandar Kinrara. — File picture by Lee Khang Yi At the Bandar Kinrara place, prices for his curry mee will increase by RM1 but he will add an extra ingredient namely fuchuk to the bowl which is served with bean sprouts, beancurd puffs and a choice of meat like poached chicken or roast pork. Ipoh Curry Chicken Stall, Restoran BK 33 Kopitiam, 1, Jalan BK 5A/2D, Bandar Kinrara, Puchong (Business starts from June 26) • This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal. • Follow us on Instagram @eatdrinkmm for more food gems.
