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In a recent announcement by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Malaysia has been named the top choice for Muslim-friendly travel. Additionally, CrescentRating and Mastercard awarded Malaysia the title of “Best Muslim Women-Friendly Destination” at the Halal in Travel Awards ceremony held in Singapore. These accolades come in light of Malaysia’s consistent ranking as the leading “Best Muslim-Friendly Destination” in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2023 report.
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, expressed pride in Malaysia’s accomplishments, emphasizing the country’s prominent position and reputation as a leader in Muslim tourism and hospitality. As the global Muslim population approaches two billion, Tiong highlighted the rapid growth of this tourism segment, with 110 million Muslim tourist arrivals recorded worldwide in the past year.
Last year, Malaysia welcomed 2.12 million Muslim tourists, who contributed RM5.37 billion in total expenditure, marking a significant milestone for the country. Tiong urged local entrepreneurs and industry players to seize the opportunity by offering Muslim-friendly hospitality services, underscoring the importance of providing added value in expanding the Islamic tourism industry. To support this endeavor, he encouraged participation in courses and programs such as the Muslim-Friendly Tourist Guide (MFTG) course and the Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition (MFAR) program, both offered by the ITC. These initiatives aim to foster business development opportunities within the rapidly growing Islamic tourism sector in Malaysia.
