Southeast Asia has once again emerged as the top destination for Muslim travelers in the latest edition of the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), with Indonesia and Malaysia sharing the top spot among 145 destinations in the 2024 survey. Singapore continues to lead among destinations outside the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), showcasing its commitment to catering to Muslim travelers with Halal food, prayer facilities, and Muslim-friendly amenities.
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The Muslim travel market is expected to see significant growth this year, with global arrivals potentially surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 5 percent. This growth is fueled by demographic shifts, economic expansion, cultural and Halal tourism development, and technological advancements that enhance personalized travel experiences for Muslim travelers.
Indonesia and Malaysia maintain their position as leading OIC destinations for Muslim travelers, excelling in entry ease and tourism infrastructure. Thailand remains in the top five non-OIC destinations by promoting Halal tourism initiatives. The Philippines has significantly improved its appeal to Muslim tourists through strategic Halal tourism development efforts.
The GMTI report, now in its ninth year, evaluates destinations based on Access, Communication, Environment, and Services (ACES) criteria. This year, new metrics focusing on facilities for travelers with disabilities were introduced. Stakeholders in the travel sector are encouraged to leverage insights from the GMTI 2024 report to capitalize on the growing Muslim travel market.
Mastercard and CrescentRating's collaboration underscores the importance of understanding and serving Muslim travelers, with a focus on enhancing travel experiences and facilitating secure cross-border payments using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence.
I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to
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understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia.
I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine.
I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan"
I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy
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