As part of the 10th edition of the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), CrescentRating is excited to introduce the GMTI Dashboard, an interactive addition to the annual report. Incorporated inside the CrescentRating Market Analytics Performance Solutions (CR MAPS), this new tool allows users to explore country rankings and scores dating back to 2015, the year GMTI first launched. The dashboard’s dynamic filtering capabilities allow tracking of specific countries or years, offering a deep dive into trends over time. Users can also compare countries based on the ACES framework (Access, Communication, Environment, and Services), a comprehensive model for evaluating Halal-friendly destinations.
The launch of the GMTI Dashboard completes the 2025 report by providing stakeholders – including government entities, tourism businesses, and researchers – with the ability to visualize and analyze performance data in an accessible and intuitive format. By using the dashboard, users can see how countries have evolved in their Muslim-friendly offerings over the years and better understand emerging trends in Halal tourism. This interactive tool is set to enhance market analysis and decision-making within the rapidly expanding Halal tourism industry.
Since the first edition of the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) in 2015, the report has continuously evolved, adding new metrics, countries, and evaluation criteria to keep pace with the dynamic Muslim travel sector. Initially covering 100 destinations, the index has expanded significantly, now evaluating 153 countries in the 2025 report including Macao, Monaco, and Timor Leste. Since its introduction in 2017, the ACES framework has allowed a more holistic approach to assessing the Muslim travel ecosystem, focusing on critical components such as accessibility, communication strategies, environmental sustainability, and services offered to Muslim travelers.
In recent years, additional metrics have been integrated into the evaluation, such as sustainability practices, Halal certification systems, and the overall digital engagement of destinations catering to the needs of Muslim visitors. Specifically, GMTI 2025 added the criteria of internet penetration, basic sanitation, reliable basic drinking water, and frequency of power losses.
These added metrics reflect the growing importance of sustainability, as well as the increasing demand for digitally enabled services that can help Muslim travelers navigate destinations seamlessly. The GMTI Dashboard is now also enhanced with the integration of the RIDA framework (Responsible, Immersive, Digital, Assured), which helps countries and regions track their progress toward building a more inclusive and responsible tourism infrastructure.
As in previous years, Malaysia continues to be the dominant force in the GMTI rankings of OIC nations, securing the #1 spot with a score of 79 in 2025. The country remains a benchmark for Halal tourism, driven by its strong infrastructure, consistent innovation, and comprehensive Halal offerings across accommodation, food, tourism services, and cultural engagement.
Other destinations that remain at the top of the OIC list include Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, which each share the second spot with scores of 78. These nations have consistently improved their Muslim-friendly services and religious infrastructure, with Saudi Arabia continuing its strong performance due to the ongoing development of Mecca and Medina as central hubs for Muslim pilgrimage. Similarly, Türkiye and the UAE continue to expand their Halal tourism offerings, making them attractive options for Muslim travelers from around the world.
Indonesia has seen a slight drop in its ranking, moving down a few positions from previous years. However, the country still remains a key player in the Halal tourism market and continues to improve its tourism infrastructure for Muslim travelers.
Within the GMTI 2025 report, it was found that there are 32 countries leading the way in welcoming and accommodating Muslim travelers, attracting 62% of total global Muslim traveler arrivals. Covering both OIC and non-OIC countries, the nations topping the ranking can be seen in The Trailblazers quadrant, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. These countries are highlighted as key destinations that continue to raise the bar for Halal tourism innovation.
While Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye continue to dominate, other countries are emerging as potential leaders in Halal tourism. These destinations may not yet attract as many Muslim travelers, but they are making substantial progress in providing the infrastructure and services that Muslim travelers demand.
Countries like Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan have seen remarkable strides in Halal tourism initiatives. While they currently receive a lower number of Muslim visitors, these nations are introducing Halal certification programs, developing prayer spaces, and working on tourism campaigns aimed at Muslim travelers. This forward-thinking approach positions these destinations as future leaders in the growing Halal travel sector.
In particular, Hong Kong and Taiwan have been quick to adapt, focusing on cultural sensitivity, Halal food offerings, and digital engagement to better cater to Muslim travelers. These countries are poised to see growth in the Muslim tourism market as their Halal-friendly services continue to expand and evolve.
The launch of the GMTI Dashboard marks an exciting development in CrescentRating’s ongoing efforts to provide actionable insights for the Halal tourism industry. By giving users the ability to explore country rankings, scores, and trends from 2015 to 2025, this interactive tool equips stakeholders with the data needed to understand the dynamic landscape of Muslim-friendly tourism.
As the global Muslim travel market continues to grow, with a projected 186 million Muslim travelers in 2025, destinations will need to adapt and innovate in order to stay competitive. The GMTI Dashboard offers a unique opportunity for countries and businesses to benchmark their progress, compare their performance against global leaders, and identify areas for improvement. With the integration of frameworks like ACES and RIDA, the dashboard also highlights sustainability, digitalization, and inclusive tourism as key factors for future success.
As CrescentRating looks ahead, the GMTI 2025 and the CR MAPS dashboard will continue to provide the insights and tools needed to navigate the rapidly evolving Halal tourism sector and support the development of more inclusive, sustainable, and Muslim-friendly destinations worldwide.
