Indonesia has long been celebrated as one of the world’s most welcoming destinations for Muslim travelers. However, recent rankings reveal a shift: Indonesia’s position on the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) has declined significantly. Once holding the top spot, the country now finds itself trailing behind neighboring Malaysia, which has claimed the number one position.
Hariyanto, Deputy Minister for Destination Development and Infrastructure at the Ministry of Tourism, shared insights on this change. He noted that Indonesia had topped the GMTI in 2023 and 2024 but has now slipped to fifth place in 2025. “Our score remains competitive, but other countries are deploying more aggressive strategies to enhance their Muslim-friendly tourism,” Hariyanto explained during a recent speech in Jogja (August 8, 2025).
Across the border, Malaysia’s proactive approach has strengthened its lead, pushing Indonesia down the rankings. Currently, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar occupy the next spots, with some ranking closely together.
In response, the Ministry isn’t standing idly by. Hariyanto announced plans to conduct the Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI) across 15 provinces to restore Indonesia’s prestige as the world’s premier Muslim tourism destination. These provinces have expressed interest in showcasing their Muslim-friendly attractions and amenities. “For GMTI 2026, we aim to climb back to the top. IMTI will serve as a key tool to assess and promote destinations across these 15 provinces committed to being Muslim-friendly tourism hubs,” he stated.
The IMTI, a derivative of the GMTI, will play a crucial role in determining Indonesia’s standing next year. Notably, the index was not conducted in 2024 due to various dynamic factors—an absence that might have contributed to the temporary decline in ranking. Hariyanto emphasized that despite the setback, the industry has seen continuous growth.
Kalimantan Selatan is among the provinces preparing to host the IMTI. The region boasts a rich array of religious tourism sites renowned not only within South Kalimantan but also nationally, including the famed Guru Sekumpul Cemetery, which hosts Asia’s largest annual religious gathering, and the historic Sultan Suriansyah Mosque, the oldest in South Kalimantan.
Other provinces participating in the upcoming IMTI include Aceh, West Sumatra, Riau, the Riau Islands, Bengkulu, Banten, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, South Sulawesi, Gorontalo, and West Nusa Tenggara.
Stay tuned for updates as Indonesia works to reaffirm its position as a top-tier Muslim-friendly travel destination.
