Singapore Takes the Lead in Muslim-Friendly Travel

In 2025, Singapore has solidified its position as the world’s leading Muslim-friendly non-OIC travel destination, an honor it has now held for three consecutive years. The Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025 places Singapore at the top of the rankings with a score of 71, marking a five-point increase from the previous year. This upward trajectory highlights the nation’s continuous efforts to cater to Muslim travelers by enhancing its facilities, services, and cultural offerings to meet the needs of this growing demographic.

The Growing Appeal of Non-OIC Destinations

The 2025 GMTI report sheds light on the rising popularity of non-OIC countries among Muslim travelers. The top 20 non-Islamic destinations collectively improved their average score by over 6 percent, signifying a clear shift toward inclusivity in the global tourism sector. This trend reflects a growing recognition of the Muslim travel market and a significant increase in efforts to accommodate Muslim tourists by providing culturally sensitive services and amenities. Countries outside the OIC are increasingly adopting strategies to meet the specific needs of Muslim travelers, making them more attractive travel destinations.

Leading Destinations in Muslim-Friendly Tourism

Following Singapore in the rankings, the United Kingdom secured second place with a score of 63. This reflects the UK’s consistent efforts to serve its Muslim population and visitors, particularly in cities like London and Manchester, which offer a range of halal dining options, prayer facilities, and mosques. The score indicates that the UK is becoming a more accessible and welcoming destination for Muslim travelers.

Hong Kong, which saw an impressive rise of 10 points, jumped to third place with a score of 62. This notable improvement showcases Hong Kong’s growing commitment to creating an inclusive environment for Muslim visitors, with expanding halal-certified restaurants and more prayer spaces across the region.

Several other countries also posted significant gains in the rankings, reinforcing the broadening of Muslim-friendly services across the globe. Thailand (57), Taiwan (58), Ireland (54), Australia (54), and the Philippines (53) all showed increases ranging from three to seven points. These countries are steadily improving their offerings, from halal food options to prayer rooms, as they seek to attract more Muslim travelers.

Europe and Africa: Embracing Inclusivity

The trend of catering to Muslim tourists isn’t confined to just Asia and the West; Europe and Africa are also embracing the shift. Established tourist destinations such as Spain, Germany, South Africa, Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina have all made significant strides in improving halal dining options, prayer facilities, and culturally respectful services. These regions are increasingly becoming popular among Muslim travelers due to their heightened awareness and efforts to meet specific needs. This growing inclusivity has contributed to an overall rise in their GMTI scores, with Europe and Africa leading the way in offering diverse cultural experiences to Muslim tourists.

New Players and Fast Risers

The 2025 GMTI also highlights the appearance of new players on the list and countries that have shown rapid improvements. Russia and Canada made significant jumps in the rankings, with Russia climbing 16 spots and Canada rising 13 positions. Both countries now share a score of 49, indicating that they are stepping up their efforts to cater to Muslim travelers, especially with the growing global interest in halal tourism.

Other nations that posted impressive gains include New Zealand (49), Macao (49), and several African countries such as Tanzania (49) and Kenya (49). All of these countries improved by seven points, further demonstrating that Muslim-friendly travel is no longer confined to traditional markets and that more destinations are diversifying their offerings to attract this growing demographic.

The Impact on the Global Tourism Landscape

The findings from the GMTI 2025 underline an important shift in the tourism sector: non-OIC destinations are increasingly making substantial investments in strategies that cater to the unique needs of Muslim travelers. This includes expanding halal dining options, providing more mosques and prayer spaces, and offering specialized training for hospitality staff on cultural and religious sensitivities. These investments are not just meeting the demand for Muslim-friendly services; they are also reshaping the future of global tourism.

The average GMTI score for the top 20 non-OIC destinations rose from 50.2 in 2024 to 56.6 in 2025. This substantial increase is a clear reflection of the importance of quality, accessibility, and cultural respect for Muslim tourists in today’s global travel market. These factors are driving the success of these countries as Muslim-friendly travel destinations, and the numbers show that there is growing recognition of this market’s potential.

As more Muslim travelers seek out diverse, welcoming destinations, the tourism industry is evolving to meet their needs. Countries that understand and cater to the unique requirements of this group are poised to benefit from this trend, with growing demand for halal services, prayer spaces, and culturally sensitive hospitality.

A Bright Future for Muslim-Friendly Travel

The 2025 GMTI report paints an optimistic picture for the future of Muslim-friendly tourism. With more countries investing in the infrastructure and services necessary to accommodate Muslim travelers, the variety of travel options available to this demographic continues to grow. As countries increasingly embrace inclusivity and cultural respect, Muslim travelers will find themselves with a wider range of destinations to choose from, offering more personalized and meaningful experiences.

The shift towards more inclusive tourism also signals a broader movement within the industry, where cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity are becoming central to the global tourism experience. As this trend continues to grow, it is not only beneficial for Muslim travelers but for the entire tourism sector, which stands to gain from an expanded market of tourists seeking authentic, respectful, and accessible experiences.

Ultimately, the evolution of Muslim-friendly travel represents a significant turning point for the global travel industry, one that will shape the tourism landscape in the years to come. Countries that prioritize these values will be at the forefront of this new era of tourism.

The post Singapore Ranked as the Leading Non-Islamic, Muslim-Friendly Destination Amidst the Booming Global Surge in Halal Tourism, Surpassing Key Destinations like the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Thailand appeared first on Travel And Tour World.