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Tourism

Malaysia Reaffirms Its Position as World's Leading Muslim-Friendly Travel Destination

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Malaysia has solidified its reputation as the world's leading destination for Muslim travelers, retaining the top spot in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025. This prestigious accolade marks a decade of dominance for Malaysia in the Muslim travel segment, a testament to its dedication to inclusivity, accessibility, and hospitality. Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, accepted the award on behalf of the nation, highlighting the collective efforts of industry stakeholders, government agencies, and local communities in positioning Malaysia as a welcoming destination for Muslim travelers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Malaysia has held the top spot in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) since the index's inception in 2015, underscoring its strong commitment to building and enhancing Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure and services.
  • The Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) played a pivotal role in Malaysia's achievements, driving initiatives such as the Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition (MFAR) program and the Muslim-Friendly Tourist Guides (MFTG) certification.
  • The recognition encourages healthy competition among destinations, while affirming the increasing consumer influence of Muslim travelers in shaping global tourism trends.
  • Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus emphasized that hospitality is deeply rooted in Malaysia's culture, heritage, and national tourism policies, ensuring every traveler feels welcomed, respected, and at ease.
  • Malaysia invites travelers worldwide to experience Visit Malaysia Year 2026, promising vibrant festivities, diverse cultures, and unforgettable experiences.
  • Malaysia has consistently led the GMTI rankings, reflecting its dedication to championing inclusivity, accessibility, and excellence in hospitality.

Statistics:

  • Malaysia has retained the top spot in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) since 2015.
  • The GMTI has been tracking the performance of destinations in the Muslim travel segment since 2015.
  • Malaysia's strong commitment to building and enhancing Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure and services has led to its dominance in the GMTI rankings.
  • The Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition (MFAR) program and the Muslim-Friendly Tourist Guides (MFTG) certification are key enablers of industry-wide service excellence in Malaysia.
  • The global Muslim travel market continues to grow, with recognition such as this acknowledging the increasing consumer influence of Muslim travelers in shaping global tourism trends.

Sources:

BERNAMA News Agency, 12 Jun 2025.

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