Defeating Saudi Arabia and Turkey, Indonesia has become the favourite destination for Muslim travellers.

Indonesia has once again recorded a remarkable achievement in the global tourism sector. According to the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2026, Indonesia ranks second in the world as the Most Welcoming Country for Muslim travellers.

This achievement represents a significant leap for Indonesia, following its 5th place position in the previous year. This three-rank climb demonstrates Indonesia's growing competitiveness in developing world-class, high-quality Muslim-friendly Tourism.

The government has welcomed this good news with optimism. Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism Bayu Aji assessed that this accomplishment is proof that various efforts to develop Halal Tourism and Muslim-friendly services are starting to deliver results.

"Indonesia has successfully risen from 5th place last year to 2nd place this year. We are optimistic to secure the top global position for Muslim travel destinations next year," stated Ministry of Tourism Secretary Bayu Aji on Thursday.

In the latest GMTI 2026 rankings, Indonesia sits just below Malaysia, who retained the first place position. Indonesia is now on par with Saudi Arabia and Turkey as leading destinations for Muslim travellers from all parts of the world.

Meanwhile, other countries that entered the top 10 rankings include Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, and Singapore.

Indonesia's success is tied to the growing halal Tourism Ecosystem, which successfully integrates religious requirements with comfortable and enjoyable travel experiences.

Fazal Bahardeen, Founder & CEO of CrescentRating HalalTrip, assessed that Indonesia continues to demonstrate progress as a multicultural destination, offering both spiritual experiences and captivating natural beauty.

According to him, support from various stakeholders and local communities has further strengthened Indonesia's position in the global Muslim tourism industry. Large-scale initiatives including halal exhibitions and promotion of Muslim-Friendly Destinations form part of the continuously developed strategy.

One of Indonesia's core strengths is its ability to combine faith-based requirements with a wide range of attractive recreational options. Muslim travellers can enjoy their trips with greater peace of mind thanks to the availability of halal-certified food across all destinations.

In addition, easy access to prayer facilities serves as a distinct added value. Prayer amenities to support traveller needs during their journey are available across airports, shopping centres, and all public spaces.

GMTI 2026 organisers assessed that Indonesia has successfully created Travel Experiences that are safe, comfortable, and welcoming for Muslim travellers from all countries.

Indonesia's Achievements were further completed with the award received by West Java as 2026's "Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Region of the Year". This recognition shows that regions across Indonesia are becoming increasingly active in developing Muslim-friendly travel destinations.