Explore Halal Tourism in Indonesia: The Country’s Growing Appeal to Muslim Travelers

Published on November 22, 2025

Significantly increasing the country’s halal tourism sector, Indonesia is in the process of making itself the world’s halal tourism and trade hub. By potentially attracting Muslim clientele and creating the market for halal services and goods, supported by Indonesia’s growing halal economy, Indonesia can achieve this goal. By building and expanding the halal ecosystem, Indonesia can not only become a major and first-class competitor in the global halal supply chain, but can also make itself the world’s first-class halal tourism hub.

Indonesia’s tourism sector is expanding, focusing on halal tourism, which is a reflection of the growing global appetite for halal tourism and services. It is evident that Indonesia is prioritized to be a global leader in this sector and is anticipated to capture millions of Muslims looking for a country that caters and aligns with their religious and lifestyle needs.

Halal Tourism: Further Development Opportunity for Indonesia

Halal tourism, specifically, refers to tourism catered for the special interests of Muslim travelers, which includes the provision of halal food, the availability of Muslim prayer spaces, and accommodations according to Islamic ethics. Islam constitutes the majority of the population and tourism of Indonesia is enjoyed by the rich cultural diversity. Thus, Muslim travelers tend to seek destinations that provide services and amenities for Muslim travellers, and therefore Indonesia is well positioned to cater to the needs of Muslim travelers.

Halal tourism and facilities for Muslim travelers is promoted and developed by the government of Indonesia, and tourism companies and businesses, focusing on improving the tourism facilities and services to offer halal options. Hospitality and tourism businesses provide Muslim travelers and holiday-makers areas of accommodation within key tourism clustered and developed regions of the country, which cater for Muslim travelers, provide prayer facilities, halal food, and designated dry areas (alcohol-free).

Also, due to the diversity of Indonesia, its cultural, and its natural resources and environment, it is able to provide halal tourism. It is home to ancient artifacts and temples of Yogjakarta, busy cultural and political center of Jakarta, and breathtaking beaches of Bali.

Enhancing Halal Tourism Infrastructure

In light of the growing interest in halal tourism, Indonesia is initiating improvements to infrastructure to cater to the specific needs of Muslim travellers. The government of Indonesia is working on having main tourist hotspots obtain halal certification, which ensures that the food and services offered comply with the Islamic diet. The BPJPH is responsible for the integrity and value of the halal certificates, which gives travellers peace of mind that their spending is at halal certified establishments.

In addition to accommodation and food, halal tourism in Indonesia offers services such as escorted visits to various cultural and historical attractions which enable tourists to appreciate the country’s diverse history. Religious tourist activities such as visitation to mosques and Islamic centres, which can be spiritual, are also included in the tour itineraries for Muslim travellers.

Halal-Friendly Destinations in Indonesia

Because of the unique style of halal tourism, Indonesia as a whole offers halal tourism option. Bali offers great views, beaches and resorts and is getting more and more Muslims on the beaches. Hotels and resorts are providing halal foods and prayer. Muslim travelers are able to spend halal vacations in Bali now more than ever. Yogyakarta as the cultural center is offering historical halal tourism through its ancient mosques and halal foods. The city is rich in history and a great cultural experience.

Being the capital city, Jakarta is a top destination of business travellers. The government support of halal-friendly hotels and convention centers makes the city an excellent option for international business exhibitors and delegates. The government’s initiatives of incorporating halal tourism into the business tourism sector eases Muslim corporate travelers for visiting the city.

Two other big cities of Indonesia, Medan and Surabaya, are also opening up more to halal tourism. They are growing in the number of hotels and restaurants, and cultural sites that accommodate Muslim clientele.

The Importance of Halal Certification in the Muslim Travel Market

Indonesia’s efforts to market halal tourism and the role of halal certifications are of great importance. Certification by reputable halal authorities has allowed travelers to feel confident in their selection of destinations and businesses. BPJPH has promoted halal certifications for foods, accommodations, and even tour and travel operators. This gives Muslim travelers the confidence that their travel experience in Indonesia will meet their dietary and religious needs.

Global Appeal and Competition

The vision of Indonesia in the global halal market is to accommodate the local Muslim market, but also target international halal tourists. There are great trends in the global market for halal tourism, especially in countries like Malaysia, Turkey, and the UAE. Indonesia, to establish a complete halal ecosystem, will undoubtedly compete for Muslim travellers from nations like Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, and China.

The Future of Halal Tourism in Indonesia

In Indonesia, the growth of halal tourism should accelerate because of concerted government efforts in promoting halal-friendly travel, with sustainable and responsible tourism as guiding principles, and the continuing influx of Muslim travelers to the country. Indonesia’s strong investments in tourism infrastructure, the promotion of Halal certiifcation, and the diverse selling of culturally integrated tourism experiences ensures the country will be chosen as the top Halal-friendly country.

Conclusion

Combining rich cultural and historical diversity, unique and vibrant Islamic civilization, and the developing halal-friendly tourism industry, Indonesia is well on its way to be one of the top centers for halal tourism globally. Its developmental approach of halal-friendly certified tourism with Muslim-friendly services to cultural immersion is unique and will draw travelers towards Indonesia, especially those with religious tourism restrictions. The continuing growth of Indonesia’s tourism industry will largely be centered and shaped around halal tourism, and will redefine the travel and tourism trends within Southeast Asia.