Recently, Hong Kong earned its place among world-class names in global affairs when it was ranked the third most Muslim-friendly travel destination globally among non-Islamic economies by the Mastercard-CrescentRating 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI). Such accreditation is a milestone for Hong Kong as it continues its bid to diversify its tourism market to capture Muslim visitors from all parts of the globe.

While the announcement marks a one-place improvement from previous rankings, the city’s tourism industry remains keenly aware that there is still much more to be done to improve and expand its appeal to Muslim visitors. On Friday, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) proudly unveiled the ranking, and the city was also awarded the title of “Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year” at the same event.

The accolades were a result of extensive work and collaboration among the Hong Kong government, tourism trade partners, and CrescentRating, a Singapore-based research and consultancy firm specializing in the Muslim travel market.

Hong Kong’s Halal Tourism Efforts: A Growing Commitment

The news was warmly received by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who expressed his delight on social media. Lee highlighted that the ranking is a testament to the city’s ongoing efforts to create a more Muslim-friendly environment for travelers. “These international accolades fully recognize Hong Kong’s efforts in promoting halal tourism,” he noted, adding that the city would continue to build on this momentum. Lee further explained that this initiative had been part of his policy address the previous year and that the government was committed to promoting Hong Kong’s Muslim-friendly image while encouraging businesses to offer high-quality services tailored to Muslim travelers.

The HKTB has actively collaborated with the government and industry partners to position Hong Kong as a halal tourism destination, an effort that includes the certification of establishments by CrescentRating. Since June of the previous year, more than 60 establishments in Hong Kong have received Muslim-friendly accreditation, demonstrating the city’s increasing commitment to accommodating Muslim visitors.

The CrescentRating guidelines for halal-friendly establishments are rigorous, with ratings ranging from one to seven. The highest ratings, six and seven, are reserved for accommodations that offer specialized services for halal-conscious travelers, such as halal food, prayer spaces, and tailored cultural services.

Some of the city’s leading hotels, including Island Shangri-La, Dorsett Tsuen Wan, and Kerry Hotel, have already achieved a five-star rating for Muslim-friendly accommodations. These hotels have demonstrated a significant commitment to offering halal dining options and ensuring that other essential services are available to Muslim guests, such as prayer rooms and ablution facilities.

A Growing Muslim-Friendly Infrastructure

The rise of Muslim-friendly infrastructure in Hong Kong is evident not only in the hotel sector but also across other tourism services, including restaurants and tourist attractions. This development is in response to the increasing demand for halal options in travel destinations worldwide.

The Mastercard-CrescentRating report highlights that Hong Kong is making strides to improve its offering to Muslim travelers, with increasing availability of halal food, prayer spaces, and cultural sensitivity across many of the city’s most popular tourist spots.

Singapore topped the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index, followed by the United Kingdom in second place. Taiwan secured the fourth position, and Thailand came in fifth. Among Islamic destinations, Malaysia claimed the top spot, followed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Indonesia.

However, despite Hong Kong’s strong performance, the city faces the challenge of ensuring that its Muslim-friendly facilities fully meet the needs of travelers. This includes not just providing halal food but also offering culturally sensitive services, such as appropriate prayer room facilities and staff training.

Challenges in Muslim-Friendly Practices

While progress is undeniable, Sharifa Leung, a third-generation Muslim Hongkonger and founder of Hani Halal, believes that Hong Kong still faces challenges when it comes to businesses’ understanding of Halal practices and Muslim culture. “Many businesses, including hotels and restaurants, lack proper training for their staff,” Leung pointed out. “They are eager to get certification, but it may be too rushed, and often, they don’t fully understand the reasons behind some of the practices.”

Leung’s comments shed light on some of the shortcomings in the city’s halal tourism offerings. For example, while ablution facilities (required for Muslim prayer) have been provided in some establishments, these facilities are often inadequate, with no separate units for men and women. In other cases, prayer rooms have been built with large reflective windows, distracting Muslims during their prayers, which is a clear misstep in accommodating their spiritual needs.

Leung also noted that many food businesses in Hong Kong struggle to understand halal practices properly, with some mistakenly believing that simply offering halal food after prayers is sufficient. In some cases, restaurants have confused Urdu script with Arabic, which is a sensitive issue for Muslim visitors. She emphasized the importance of enhancing staff training to ensure businesses understand the full scope of Muslim travel needs.

Singapore
Singapore consistently ranks as the most Muslim-friendly destination among non-Islamic countries. The city-state offers a plethora of halal-certified restaurants, prayer spaces, and cultural sensitivity, making it a top choice for Muslim travelers.

The UK
The UK has been recognized for its extensive Muslim-friendly infrastructure, including numerous halal eateries, mosques, and cultural inclusivity. Cities like London and Birmingham are particularly noted for their Muslim-friendly amenities.

Hong Kong
As mentioned, Hong Kong has climbed to third place in the GMTI rankings. The city boasts over 60 Muslim-friendly accredited establishments and has been awarded the “Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year” title.

Taiwan
Taiwan has been recognized for its efforts to accommodate Muslim travelers, offering halal dining options and prayer facilities in various tourist spots. Taipei, in particular, has been highlighted for its Muslim-friendly initiatives.

Thailand
Thailand, especially in regions like Phuket and Krabi, has developed a reputation for being Muslim-friendly. The country offers halal food, prayer spaces, and cultural sensitivity, catering to the needs of Muslim tourists.

Japan
Japan has been making efforts to accommodate Muslim travelers by providing halal restaurants, prayer spaces, and information in multiple languages. Cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are increasingly becoming Muslim-friendly destinations.

South Korea
South Korea has been recognized for its initiatives to welcome Muslim tourists, including halal food options and prayer facilities in major cities like Seoul.

Australia
Australia offers a variety of Muslim-friendly services, including halal food, prayer spaces, and cultural inclusivity, particularly in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

Germany
Germany has been noted for its Muslim-friendly infrastructure, including halal dining options and mosques, especially in cities like Berlin and Frankfurt.

France
France, particularly Paris, offers a range of Muslim-friendly amenities, including halal restaurants and prayer spaces, catering to the needs of Muslim travelers.

Moving Forward: Strengthening Hong Kong’s Halal Tourism Appeal

Despite these challenges, Hong Kong’s tourism stakeholders are optimistic about the city’s potential to further enhance its appeal to Muslim travelers. Leung suggested that, in addition to expanding halal food options, it is crucial to focus on improving the overall experience for Muslim visitors. She emphasized the importance of fostering community involvement, hosting events that attract Muslim travelers, and investing in professional training for tourism and hospitality staff.

Moreover, the involvement of Muslim-owned businesses in the tourism sector has been highlighted as a potential strategy for gaining the trust of Muslim visitors. Establishments managed by Muslim staff tend to gain stronger support from travelers who share the same cultural background, ensuring a more authentic and welcoming experience for guests.

A Bright Future for Hong Kong’s Halal Tourism Industry

The recognition of Hong Kong as a top Muslim-friendly destination is just the beginning. The city’s tourism authorities and industry partners are committed to further developing Hong Kong as a hub for halal tourism, improving the infrastructure, and addressing the gaps identified by experts in the field. With continued collaboration and investment, Hong Kong is poised to become one of the most attractive destinations for Muslim travelers worldwide.