The world-renowned CrescentRating, a leading authority in halal tourism, and Mastercard recently released the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI). Hong Kong has climbed one spot from last year to secure third place in the rankings for Muslim-friendly travel destinations (non-OIC countries), making it to the top three for the first time, trailing only Singapore and the United Kingdom. Additionally, HK received the "Most Promising Muslim Friendly Destination of the Year," having improved its GMTI score by 10 points – the biggest jump among non-OIC destinations.
John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, expressed pride in HK's strong performance in the GMTI. He stated that this recognition is a testament to the city's efforts in promoting halal tourism. The government will continue to enhance its promotion of HK's Muslim-friendly image, encourage greater business participation, and provide higher-quality services to travelers, aiming to establish the city as a more attractive international tourism destination.
CrescentRating is a global authority in halal tourism. CrescentRating specializes in research, evaluation, and promotion within the halal tourism sector. In collaboration with Mastercard, the organization annually publishes the GMTI, analyzing 153 global travel destinations based on factors such as halal food availability, accommodations, and support facilities to assess their readiness to welcome Muslim travelers.
HK rises to the top 3 Muslim-friendly destinations for the first time
According to CrescentRating's latest annual report, HK has broken into the top three Muslim-friendly travel destinations (non-OIC countries) for the first time. It also ranked first in the newly introduced "Muslim-friendly Accessible Travel Destination (non-OIC)" and second in the "Muslim Women Friendly Travel Destination (non-OIC)" category.
In a social media post, John Lee expressed his delight at HK's remarkable GMTI performance. He highlighted the progress made since he pledged in last year's Policy Address to create a more Muslim-friendly environment. The collaborative efforts of the government, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), and various stakeholders have yielded encouraging results: the number of halal-certified restaurants has increased from around 100 at the beginning of 2024 to approximately 190 currently. Additionally, over 60 hotels, attractions, and convention venues have earned Muslim-friendly ratings from CrescentRating.
In April, the number of visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries increased by 65% year-on-year, and direct flights between HK and the Middle East have continued to expand.
John Lee: Showcasing HK's spirit of diversity and inclusion
John Lee noted that the Muslim-friendly policies he has championed have been well-received by society and Muslim travelers. He emphasized that these measures not only make Muslim travelers feel at home but also highlight HK's spirit of diversity and inclusion as a global metropolis. He expressed gratitude to various industries that have actively supported halal tourism, which has further enhanced the city's travel infrastructure.
Lam Kin-ngok, Chairman of the HKTB, stated that the organization has worked closely with the government and tourism-related industries to promote HK as a Muslim-friendly travel destination through a three-pronged strategy: certification, education, and promotion. These efforts aim to diversify HK's tourist base and strengthen connections with the Middle East and ASEAN regions.
He thanked the HKSAR Government for its full support and praised the efforts of industry stakeholders in improving Muslim-friendly facilities. The HKTB will continue to leverage various channels to attract Muslim travelers to HK and showcase the city's image as a Muslim-friendly travel destination.
Steve Chuang, Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, told Wen Wei Po that many Muslim travelers face challenges in identifying halal-certified restaurants when visiting HK. To address this, the Federation plans to launch a halal certification mark, similar to the "Q-Mark," to certify halal products and services. The certification, which is expected to be introduced by the end of the year, has been endorsed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong. Chuang believes this initiative will help society seize new business opportunities and expand the Muslim market.
Last month, the Federation signed a memorandum of understanding with the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong to jointly promote the development and certification of halal products in HK.
Legislative Council member Yiu Pak-leung emphasized that attracting Muslim tourists requires the participation of the entire society. He urged the government to guide industries through policy measures and provide subsidies to support the adoption of more Muslim-friendly practices.
Another Legislative Council member, Cheng Wing-shun, shared that the city's first outdoor halal food festival, held in Tsim Sha Tsui this April, received positive feedback. He noted that the country's recent visa waiver policy for four Middle Eastern countries presents an opportunity for HK to further promote itself as a Muslim-friendly travel destination. He suggested that the government and related organizations integrate Muslim-friendly initiatives with major local events to market HK's offerings as a Muslim-friendly destination and develop tailored travel products for the region.
(Source: Wen Wei Po; Reporter: Wu Jianyi; English Editor: Zoey Sun)
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