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THE CITY has once again won the award for being an affordable, safe, and welcoming destination for Muslim travelers from Southeast Asia and around the world.
According to the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025 report by CrescentRating and Mastercard, Hong Kong ranked third among non-OIC Muslim-friendly destinations, up one spot from fourth place the previous year.
Further reinforcing this position, Hong Kong ranked second globally in the “Muslim Women Friendly Travel Destination (Non-OIC)” category and won first place in the new “Muslim-Friendly Accessible Travel Destination (Non-OIC)” category.
These rankings demonstrate Hong Kong’s commitment to providing an inclusive and comfortable travel experience for Muslim travelers from all backgrounds and needs. The award is based on annual performance in the GMTI index, which reinforces Hong Kong’s leadership and commitment to ensuring Muslim-friendly tourism.
In addition to its strong GMTI rankings, Hong Kong won the title of “Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year.” The number of tourist arrivals from Indonesia increased by 45.2% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, and the average length of stay increased by 42.2%. This is a strong indicator of the high demand for Muslim-friendly experiences in Hong Kong.
Several places and destinations in Hong Kong received awards for excellence in enhancing Muslim-friendly tourism experiences. Muslim-Friendly Hotel of the Year: Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong
(2) Muslim-Friendly Hotel of the Year: The Mira Hong Kong Muslim-Friendly Attraction of the Year: Ngong Ping 360 Limited (3). Muslim-Friendly Convention and Exhibition Centre of the Year: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.
With the support of the government, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is strengthening its commitment to inclusive and halal tourism. These efforts include expanding the number of hotels eligible for CrescentRating (CR) accreditation. CR assesses Muslim-friendly amenities, such as halal food availability and prayer facilities.
Additionally, the city is increasing access to halal-certified restaurants and lifestyle experiences that cater to modern Muslim travelers’ needs. Currently, Hong Kong has 193 halal-certified or Muslim-owned restaurants, as well as 61 hotels accredited by CR. This is a testament to the availability of Muslim-friendly amenities in these establishments. [sources/photo special]
