Indonesia’s First Muslim-Friendly Travel Fair Showcases Growing Halal Tourism Market

Published on December 3, 2025

Astindo Muslim-Friendly Travel Fair 2025 is the first exhibition catering to the needs of Muslims travelling worldwide. This exhibition is a response to a worldwide phenomenon incorporating a specialised focus on inclusive tourism. This exhibition is positioned to represent the premier Muslim Travel Segment.

Astindo Muslim-Friendly Travel Fair is currently underway at the Jakarta Convention Center. This exhibition represents a growing number of travel agencies and service providers committed to Muslim-Friendly Travel & Tourism. There is a need to inform Muslim travelers of all available travel options which selectively incorporate halal food, and prayer accommodations and adhere to the established Islamic guidelines.

In 2023 more destination traveled to more Muslims. The number of destinations catering to Muslims is on the rise. This is further evidenced by the GMTI, growing to accommodate Muslims traveling worldwide. This is particularly evident to destinations, with a Muslim majority, and destinations without a Muslim majority.

Global & Event Participation

At the ASTINDO Muslim-Friendly Travel Fair 2025, exhibitors from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe, and many other regions presented the various halal tourism products. Travel agencies gained wonderful opportunities to interact with foreign partners to establish businesses and devise new plans to fulfill the demand for Muslim-friendly tourism and travel.

Malaysia, Turkey, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia focused their advertising and showcased their tourism boards and services for Muslim clients. Even Japan, South Korea, and Australia, which are not Muslim-majority countries, focused on their tourism services for Muslim clients as well. The inclusivity towards non- Muslim-majority countries, is a reflection of the latest trend in global tourism; countries are now providing halal food, mosques, and prayer rooms at popular tourist destinations, hotels, and other major establishments.

The Contributions of Indonesia in the Muslim Travel Market

In the development of Muslim-friendly travel and tourism, Indonesia, the most populated Muslim country in the world, holds an essential position. According to ASTINDO’s fair, the demand for services to address religious and cultural needs of the travelers is increasing as Indonesian tourists seek destinations that provide. Bali, Yogyakarta, and Lombok are located in Indonesia, which has several places that accommodate the needs of Muslim tourists.

The fair showcased the potential in tourism that is tailored to Indonesia’s Muslim travellers. Travel agencies in Indonesia are prioritising the promotion of halal tourism which aims to serve the needs of Muslim tourists through religiously appropriate offerings. These include visits to mosques, halal food tours, and accommodation in hotels that are prayer-friendly, with dedicated swimming pools for women, and prayer rooms.

The Promotion of Support for the Expansion of Halal Tourism

The challenges and opportunities within the halal tourism segment were presented in the fair. Participants in the travel industry and experts in the field of travel examined some important issues, such as the ensuring quality of halal travel products and their proper certification, as well as the promoting of awareness and trust within the Muslim traveller.

Pauline Suharno, president of ASTINDO, indicated that the exhibition is a response to the demand from the Indonesian Muslim travelers and the world’s increasing willingness to welcome this market! During the keynote address, she remarked, “Muslim travelers are more and more looking to travel to places that are culture and religion sensitive, and we want to make sure that both domestic and foreign places are ready to serve the Muslim travellers, alongside Global Partners

At the exhibition, Global travel boards and travel companies showcased their initiatives to welcome Muslim travelers; Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, and Cairo discussed their experiences and the need of providing Muslim-friendly travel.

Muslim-friendly traveled were discussed by several international hotel chains and participants, such as airlines that offer halal meals, and hotels that offer prayer facilities and halal food.”

The Future of Muslim-Friendly Travel in Indonesia

Since Indonesia has many international and domestic Muslim travelers, there is growth in Indonesia’s Muslim travel market. The ASTINDO Muslim-Friendly Travel Fair 2025’s success demonstrated Indonesia’s viable position in the halal market.

The fair showed participants and local travel businesses the untapped potential of this market. The increasing number of Muslim travelers searching for destinations that honor their religious practices indicates that the need for inclusive and respectful travel/ accommodation becomes more important.

Looking Ahead

The ASTINDO Muslim-Friendly Travel Fair is forecasted to promote halal tourism products and services to businesses and destinations with the increasing number of Muslim travelers. The fair is expected to become an annual event. The tourism industry is seeing many new opportunities as ASTINDO’s Muslim-Friendly Travel Fair helps Muslim travelers while tourism overall is becoming more inclusive.

Given the expansion of the Muslim worldwide travel market, the ASTINDO Muslim-Friendly Travel Fair 2025 represents a significant milestone in this transition as it lays the foundation for more comprehensive travel experiences and international collaborations to serve the varying requirements of Muslim travelers.