15 Provinces to Be Developed as Muslim-Friendly Tourism Destinations

The Ministry of Tourism is developing 15 potential provinces as quality Muslim-friendly tourism destinations. Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said the 15 provinces were assessed as having the potential to be developed into Muslim-friendly travel destinations based on the Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI), which is compiled with reference to the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI). In a statement in Jakarta on Thursday, she conveyed that the provinces deemed potential Muslim-friendly tourism destinations include Aceh, Riau, Riau Islands, West Sumatra, and Bengkulu. The provinces of DKI Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, South Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, Gorontalo, and the Special Region of Yogyakarta were also assessed as having the potential to be developed into Muslim-friendly tourism areas. To encourage the development of these provinces as Muslim-friendly tourism destinations, the Ministry of Tourism is incorporating events and activities that can attract Muslim tourists to the target provinces into the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN). The organisation of events such as the Aceh Ramadhan Festival, Aceh Culinary Festival, Muslim Life Fest, Balangan Islamic Festival, Batam Takbir Parade, and Batam Wonderfood & Art Ramadhan is expected to attract Muslim tourist arrivals. In addition, a special Muslim Friendly Travel page has been presented on Indonesia.travel to make it easier for Muslim tourists to obtain information regarding destinations, event calendars, places of worship, and Muslim-friendly travel packages. The Tourism Minister said the government is also supporting the diversification of Muslim-friendly tourism products to meet the needs and preferences of the world’s Muslim tourists. “Indonesia’s Muslim-friendly tourism products are also continuously being diversified, ranging from religious tourism and halal culinary to wellness based on spiritual values,” she said. The Ministry of Tourism is strengthening the capacity of business actors, running business mentoring programmes, and expanding market access and financing for providers of Muslim-friendly travel packages. Widiyanti stated that Indonesia still has the opportunity to increase Muslim tourist visits from member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that are currently facing regional geopolitical dynamics. Saudi Arabia is still estimated to have the potential to be a contributor to Muslim tourist visits to Indonesia because flight connectivity from that country is still maintained. However, the Ministry of Tourism is monitoring the development of the situation in the Middle East to adjust tourism promotion strategies targeting tourists in that region. Besides seeking to attract tourists from countries with large Muslim populations such as Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Tourism is targeting countries outside the OIC that have many enthusiasts for Muslim-friendly tourism. Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Australia, and New Zealand are among the countries considered potential Muslim-friendly tourism markets.