Muslim-friendly travel rankings: what they miss
A headline calls a country very Muslim-friendly, and you wonder what that means for your meals.
A ranking is useful for one job: deciding which countries deserve a closer look. It cannot tell you whether the lunch on day three is halal. This page lists what the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index and Malaysia’s MFAR recognition actually report, where each statement came from, and what they leave out.
What did the 2025 index report?
The Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2025 was its 10th edition, released in Singapore on 12 June 20251. It reports that international Muslim arrivals reached 176 million in 2024, up 25% from 2023, and projects 245 million by 20302.
The rankings below are as reported by the sources named. Release wording can change, so check the original before quoting.
| Reported result | Source | Accessed |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia ranked first among OIC destinations3 | TTG Asia, 12 June 2025 | 19 October 2026. |
| Tourism Malaysia lists Malaysia as having clinched the number 1 spot4 | Tourism Malaysia, Global Recognitions 2025 | 19 October 2026. |
| Singapore led the non-OIC destinations, followed by the UK, Hong Kong and Taiwan, with Thailand fifth and the Philippines eighth5 | TTG Asia, 12 June 2025 | 19 October 2026. |
| Indonesia ranked fifth among OIC destinations6 | TTG Asia, 12 June 2025 | 19 October 2026. |
| Hong Kong ranked third among non-OIC destinations7 | CrescentRating press release | 19 October 2026. |
| Taiwan third among non-OIC destinations in the June 2023 edition, and in the top three since 20198 | Taiwan Tourism Administration, Annual Report 2023 | 19 October 2026. |
What is MFAR, and how is it different?
MFAR is not a ranking of countries. The Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) Malaysia awards MFAR, the Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition, to tourism businesses meeting its Muslim-friendly guidelines12.
ITC’s page lists ten sectors. Tourist accommodation, travel operating businesses, and spa, wellness and massage premises were open for application13. For accommodation there are three levels: Silver, Gold and Platinum14.
- Silver: for premises that meet the general requirements and the basic needs of Muslim travellers15.
- Platinum: the top tier, for the highest level of Muslim travellers’ needs16.
MFAR labels a business. It is a Muslim-friendly recognition, not a halal certificate for its kitchen. Use it with the claim states in our guide on halal-certified versus Muslim-friendly.
What do rankings measure and miss?
A country rank cannot answer the questions that decide a family trip.
- Which meal? A rank says nothing about one restaurant, one hotel breakfast or one tour lunch.
- Which certifier? Venue counts in ranking releases can come from bodies JAKIM does not list. CrescentRating states over 230 Taiwan restaurants and hotels are certified by the Chinese Muslim Association10, and that body does not appear on JAKIM’s list11. Taiwan’s own tourism administration reported 396 halal-certified restaurants and hotels in 20239. Whether a given certificate meets your own standard is for you, or your ustaz, to decide.
- Which city, which week? The index ranks countries, so it cannot tell you whether Kyoto suits your parents better than Osaka.
- Which pace? Nothing here measures walking distance, stairs or prayer stops between sights.
Where is the data missing?
The index scores, the number of destinations ranked, and the ranks of Japan and South Korea are not confirmed here, because the original release could not be read in full. Do not quote a rank for those two countries from this page.
Rankings for Thailand and the Philippines come from a trade report on the release, not from the release itself.
How do you use a ranking sensibly?
Use it to shortlist, then switch to evidence.
- Pick two or three countries from the ranking and your own priorities.
- Read each destination guide for prayer access and the halal food picture.
- For each meal plan, record the claim state and ask for the certificate.
Where to go next
The Choosing where to go hub covers the decision step by step.
Start with choosing a first overseas holiday if this is your first trip abroad. For the certificate side, see which Asian certifiers JAKIM recognises. Two destinations from the ranking have their own guides: Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Tell us which two countries you are weighing and who is travelling, and we will help you compare them on meals and prayer access instead of on a headline rank.
Common questions
Does a high rank mean every restaurant there is halal?
No. A country rank describes the destination as a whole, not one kitchen. Even in a top-ranked place you still check the certificate, the issuing body and the branch. Treat the rank as a reason to shortlist a country, then verify each meal.
Is MFAR a ranking?
No. MFAR is a recognition awarded by the Islamic Tourism Centre to tourism businesses that meet its Muslim-friendly guidelines. It labels a business, while an index ranks countries. Neither one is the same as a halal certificate for the food.
Why do two sources describe Malaysia's position differently?
TTG Asia reports Malaysia first among OIC destinations, while Tourism Malaysia lists it as having clinched the number 1 spot. The wording differs, so read the original release before you quote either one. Neither wording says anything about a particular meal abroad.
Can I use these ranks to choose between two cities?
Only partly. The rankings are for countries, not cities, so they cannot separate Osaka from Kyoto. For a city decision, compare the prayer access, the meal evidence and the pace your family can manage in the destination guides.
Sources
- The Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2025 was its 10th edition, released in Singapore on 12 June 2025. CrescentRating press release, GMTI 2025
- GMTI 2025 reports international Muslim arrivals reached 176 million in 2024, up 25% from 2023, and projects 245 million by 2030. CrescentRating press release, GMTI 2025
- In GMTI 2025 Malaysia ranked first among OIC destinations. TTG Asia, Annual study shows growing power of Muslim travellers (12 Jun 2025)
- Tourism Malaysia lists Malaysia as having clinched the number 1 spot in GMTI 2025. Tourism Malaysia, Global Recognitions 2025
- In GMTI 2025 Singapore led the non-OIC destinations, followed by the UK, Hong Kong and Taiwan, with Thailand fifth and the Philippines eighth. TTG Asia, Annual study shows growing power of Muslim travellers (12 Jun 2025)
- TTG Asia reports Indonesia ranked fifth among OIC destinations in GMTI 2025. TTG Asia, Annual study shows growing power of Muslim travellers (12 Jun 2025)
- CrescentRating states Hong Kong ranked third among non-OIC destinations in GMTI 2025, with 61 CrescentRating-accredited hotels and 190 Halal-certified restaurants. CrescentRating press release, GMTI 2025
- Taiwan ranked third among non-OIC destinations in the June 2023 Global Muslim Travel Index, behind Singapore and the United Kingdom, and has placed in the top three since 2019. Taiwan Tourism Administration, Annual Report 2023
- Taiwan's Tourism Administration reported 396 halal-certified restaurants and hotels in 2023. Taiwan Tourism Administration, Annual Report 2023
- CrescentRating states over 230 restaurants and hotels in Taiwan are Halal-certified by the Chinese Muslim Association. CrescentRating press release, GMTI 2025
- JAKIM's 21 August 2026 list recognises two Taiwanese bodies: Taiwan Halal Integrity Development Association (THIDA), Taipei, and Taiwan Halal Certification Development Co., Ltd (THCD), Kaohsiung. JAKIM, Recognized Foreign Halal Certification Bodies & Authorities (effective 21 August 2026). Chinese Muslim Association (CMA) does not appear in this list.
- The Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) Malaysia awards MFAR (Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition) to tourism businesses meeting its Muslim-friendly guidelines. Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC)
- ITC's MFAR page lists ten sectors, of which Tourist Accommodation Premises, Travel Operating Businesses, and Spa, Wellness and Massage Premises were open for application. Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC)
- MFAR for tourist accommodation has three rating levels: Silver, Gold and Platinum. MyGovernment (malaysia.gov.my), List of Muslim-friendly hotels
- MFAR Silver is for tourist accommodation premises that comply with MFAR general requirements and meet the basic needs of Muslim travellers. MyGovernment (malaysia.gov.my), List of Muslim-friendly hotels
- MFAR Platinum is the top tier, for accommodation that achieves the highest level of Muslim travellers' needs. MyGovernment (malaysia.gov.my), List of Muslim-friendly hotels
Keep planning
Tell us which two countries you are weighing and who is travelling, and we will help you compare them on meals and prayer access instead of on a headline rank.