As Halal travel continues to expand as a significant and fast-growing segment of global tourism, deeper collaboration between industry experts and international institutions has become increasingly important. Reflecting this shift, CrescentRating has been appointed as an Affiliate Member of the UN Tourism Programme of Work 2026-2027, reinforcing the role of Muslim-friendly travel within the broader global tourism agenda.
The appointment recognizes CrescentRating’s long-standing contribution to advancing understanding, standards, and industry readiness for Halal travel, while placing its expertise within global tourism dialogue and policy-level collaboration.
UN Tourism’s Affiliate Membership brings together a diverse network of organizations, including private sector entities, research institutions, and non-governmental bodies, that contribute practical expertise and industry insight to support responsible, inclusive, and sustainable tourism development worldwide.
As an Affiliate Member, CrescentRating is positioned to engage more closely with international tourism stakeholders and contribute perspectives shaped by research, market intelligence, and on-the-ground industry engagement. This role enables CrescentRating to help ensure that the needs and expectations of Muslim travelers are more effectively considered within global tourism frameworks and initiatives.
With more than 17 years of experience in Muslim travel research and destination readiness, CrescentRating brings a deep understanding of Halal travel dynamics to its Affiliate Member role. Under this programme of work, UN Tourism will support the delivery of a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening inclusion, knowledge exchange, and collaboration across the global tourism ecosystem.
A key initiative under this collaboration is the 6th Halal in Travel Global Summit, scheduled to take place in Singapore in May 2026. With the support of UN Tourism, the annual summit will continue to serve as a global platform bringing together destinations, tourism authorities, hospitality leaders, and industry stakeholders to address emerging opportunities, challenges, and best practices in Muslim-friendly travel.
This will be followed in October 2026 by the Inaugural Halal in Travel Gastronomy Global Summit, alongside the release of the Global Halal Gastronomy and Culinary Tourism Report. Together, these initiatives will focus on the growing importance of Halal gastronomy within tourism, highlighting culinary culture as a strategic driver for destination differentiation, visitor experience, and inclusive tourism development.
Through these summits and research outputs, CrescentRating aims to contribute structured insights and practical frameworks that support UN Tourism’s broader objectives, while enabling destinations and industry stakeholders to better understand and respond to the evolving needs of Muslim travelers.
CrescentRating’s appointment as an Affiliate Member of UN Tourism reflects the growing recognition of Halal travel as an integral component of the global tourism ecosystem. Through this role, CrescentRating aims to contribute constructively to international tourism efforts by sharing structured insights, supporting industry dialogue, and encouraging inclusive destination development.
As global tourism continues to evolve, CrescentRating remains committed to working collaboratively with international partners to strengthen the understanding of Muslim travelers and support a more inclusive, resilient, and future-ready travel industry
