INDONESIA EYES LEADING ROLE IN MUSLIM-FRIENDLY TOURISM

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Indonesia, home to over 230 million Muslims and celebrated for its rich natural and cultural heritage, is positioning itself to take a leading role in Muslim-friendly tourism, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said.

She noted that Indonesia’s scale, heritage, and infrastructure that include more than 309,000 mosques and 376,000 prayer rooms in airports, shopping centres, and tourist sites, provide a strong foundation for attracting Muslim travellers.

Speaking at the International Halal Tourism Summit in Central Jakarta on Thursday, Widiyanti emphasised the importance of improving attractions, accessibility, and amenities to showcase Indonesia’s Muslim-friendly offerings.

“We must package and promote these experiences as uniquely Muslim-friendly, reflecting our identity and appealing to international visitors,” she said in a statement.

The ministry also plans to leverage 36 international airports, expand visa-free and visa-on-arrival access, and ensure inclusive, safe environments for tourists.

Halal-certified products are being rolled out from 20 tourist villages to 15,000 villages across 15 provinces, while a dedicated portal for Muslim tourists will make travel planning easier.

To measure progress, Widiyanti said the ministry had launched the Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI) 2025 with Bank Indonesia, the Enhaii Halal Tourism Centre, and CrescentRating, the world’s leading authority on halal travel and tourism.

The IMTI tracks provincial readiness and aligns with the Global Muslim Travel Index, a benchmark for global Muslim-friendly tourism rankings.

“Beyond measurement, this index guides consistent national standards so Muslim-friendly services are trusted across Indonesia,” Widiyanti added.

-- BERNAMA