List of 15 Provinces with Potential to be Developed as Muslim-Friendly Tourist Destinations

The Government continues to strengthen Indonesia's position as one of the world's top Muslim-friendly tourist destinations. Through the Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar), 15 provinces are prioritized for development as high-quality Muslim-friendly tourism destinations to attract more domestic and international visitors.

This measure is part of the strategy to expand the tourism market, built upon the continuously growing global demand for travel services catering to Muslim travellers.

Development work is carried out by optimizing regional local potential, improving service standards, and developing tourist attractions that align with the preferences of Muslim visitors.

Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana confirmed the 15 provinces were selected using the Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI), which is formulated with reference to the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI).

Provinces identified as having high potential as Muslim-friendly tourism destinations include Aceh, Riau, Riau Islands, West Sumatra, and Bengkulu.

Additionally, DKI Jakarta Province, Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, South Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, Gorontalo, and the Special Region of Yogyakarta are also included on the priority list.

To boost the attractiveness of these regions, the Ministry of Tourism has integrated targeted Muslim traveller focused agendas into the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) program. This initiative is expected to increase visitor arrivals while solidifying Indonesia's global image as a Muslim-friendly travel destination.

Planned events including the Aceh Ramadan Festival, Aceh Culinary Festival, Muslim Life Fest, Balangan Islamic Festival, Batam Takbir Parade, and Batam Wonderfood & Art Ramadan are projected to draw Muslim tourists from both inside and outside Indonesia.

Alongside organizing these events, the government has launched a dedicated Muslim Friendly Travel portal on the official Indonesia.travel website. This platform provides tourists with easy access to information on destinations, event calendars, prayer facility locations, and Muslim-friendly tour packages across all regions.

The Tourism Minister confirmed the government will continue expanding the range of tourism products that meet the specific travel requirements of Muslim visitors worldwide.

"Indonesia's Muslim-friendly tourism offerings are also being continuously diversified, covering religious pilgrimage travel, halal culinary experiences, through to spiritual-based wellness tourism," she stated.

Separately, the Ministry of Tourism is building capacity for local tourism industry operators through business mentoring schemes, expanded market access, and dedicated financing facilities for Muslim-friendly tour providers, to support them competing in the international market.

Widiyanti noted that Indonesia retains significant potential to grow visitor numbers from Muslim travellers in Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, despite ongoing geopolitical dynamics across the region. Saudi Arabia is forecast to remain a major source market, as flight connectivity between the two countries remains stable.

Beyond targeting markets in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Turkey and Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Tourism is also running promotional campaigns in non-OIC countries with high demand for Muslim-friendly travel, including Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Australia and New Zealand.