Macao Dominates Global Muslim Travel Index 2025, Rising as a Premier Halal-Friendly Destination on the World Stage

Published on June 21, 2025

In 2025, Macao was featured for the first time on the prestigious Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), an authoritative ranking compiled by CrescentRating and Mastercard. This annual index ranks global destinations based on their efforts to accommodate Muslim travelers, an important and growing market in the tourism sector. The inclusion of Macao in the GMTI 2025 highlights the destination’s commitment to providing a halal-friendly environment and underscores its ongoing efforts to diversify its tourism sources.

Macao’s Top Rankings in Muslim-Friendly Travel Categories

Macao’s impressive performance in the GMTI 2025 is evident across several categories. The city has ranked fifth in the world for Muslim women-friendly destinations, a significant achievement that places it ahead of many other non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries. The GMTI 2025 report emphasizes the importance of creating a secure, welcoming environment for Muslim women, ensuring their peace of mind when traveling solo or with groups. Macao’s positioning in this category reflects the city’s commitment to making Muslim women feel safe, respected, and supported during their visits.

In addition to this, Macao has been ranked 16th globally as a Muslim-friendly destination, further establishing itself as a key player in the halal tourism market. This ranking is determined by the overall environment, services, and inclusive offerings provided to Muslim travelers. The city’s focus on enhancing the travel experience for this segment has been an essential factor in securing such a high placement on the index.

Macao also excelled in the category of Muslim-friendly accessible destinations, ranking among the top 10 in the non-OIC countries. This category assesses how effectively destinations accommodate visitors with unique requirements, such as those with physical disabilities and multi-generational families. It considers factors such as accessibility, transport infrastructure, and safety, alongside the Muslim-friendliness of the destination. Macao’s inclusion in this category highlights its dedication to providing an inclusive and accommodating environment for all travelers.

Macao’s Efforts to Attract Muslim Travelers

The inclusion of Macao in the GMTI 2025 comes after years of strategic planning and active efforts to enhance its appeal to Muslim travelers. The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has been instrumental in transforming the city into a halal-friendly destination. This transformation includes the development of infrastructure and services designed to meet the unique needs of Muslim visitors, from halal food offerings to prayer spaces and accommodations that cater to Islamic practices.

Macao’s unique cultural blend of Eastern and Western influences has long been a point of attraction for international visitors. MGTO has capitalized on this multicultural heritage to create an environment that is welcoming to Muslim tourists while preserving the destination’s rich cultural identity. The city’s safe environment, modern infrastructure, and strong emphasis on hospitality have made it a natural fit for Muslim travelers seeking a destination that aligns with their values and needs.

Strategic Initiatives to Support Halal Tourism

Macao has rolled out several initiatives to further attract Muslim visitors. One of the most significant steps was the launch of the Macao for Muslim Travelers – Halal Travel Guide earlier this year. This guide serves as a comprehensive resource for Muslim travelers, providing information on halal-certified restaurants, prayer facilities, and other relevant services available throughout the city.

Additionally, during the 13th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE) in April, MGTO organized the Halal Horizons Pavilion. This pavilion showcased halal-certified enterprises and included a simulated prayer room, demonstrating the city’s commitment to meeting the needs of Muslim visitors. The event also featured the CrescentRating Certified: Muslim-Friendly Hotel Grading Seminar, aimed at enhancing the halal-friendly offerings of hotels and other accommodation providers in Macao.

To support the food and beverage sector, MGTO continues to encourage halal certification for local establishments. It also organizes regular training sessions for tourism personnel to ensure they are equipped to cater to the specific needs of Muslim visitors. These ongoing efforts are crucial to the city’s goal of becoming a leading Muslim-friendly destination.

Expanding Macao’s Appeal to Muslim Travelers

Macao’s growing recognition as a Muslim-friendly destination is aligned with its broader strategy to tap into the vast potential of the global Muslim tourism market. This market, which includes millions of Muslim travelers from regions such as the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Mainland China, is expected to continue expanding in the coming years. By positioning itself as a halal-friendly destination, Macao aims to attract more visitors from these regions and diversify its tourism source markets.

Macao’s tourism efforts are focused not only on attracting visitors from the Middle East but also on strengthening its appeal to neighboring regions like Indonesia and Malaysia. The destination’s ongoing initiatives, including online and in-person promotions in key target markets, are designed to ensure that Macao remains a top choice for Muslim travelers seeking a safe, accessible, and culturally enriching experience.

Conclusion: Macao’s Bright Future in Halal Tourism

Macao’s recognition in the GMTI 2025 is a testament to the city’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for Muslim travelers. The destination’s strong performance in key categories, such as Muslim women-friendly destinations and accessible travel, positions it as a leading non-OIC destination in the halal tourism market. As Macao continues to build on its achievements and strengthen its appeal to Muslim visitors, it is poised to become a key player in the global halal tourism sector, offering a unique blend of cultural heritage, modern infrastructure, and inclusive services to travelers from around the world.

With a continued focus on enhancing its halal-friendly offerings and expanding its reach to global Muslim markets, Macao is set to remain a top destination for Muslim travelers in the years to come.