Aceh Possesses Strong Potential to Become a Global Halal Tourism Destination
The Secretary General of the Halal Tourism Association of Indonesia (PPHI) Aceh, Muhammad Imam Fuadi, has stated that Indonesia’s halal tourism and Muslim-friendly market has entered a global market phase. Imam highlighted that increased extended services can attract Muslim tourists, both domestic and international, to Aceh.
“The tourism industry and government can continue to work together and collaborate in advancing halal tourism,” said Imam when contacted by Republika in Jakarta on Monday, 9 March 2026.
Imam noted that Aceh possesses significant potential in developing halal tourism. He stated that Aceh achieved second place as a Muslim-Friendly Tourism Destination in the 2023 Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI) Award, conducted in collaboration with Bank Indonesia (BI). In 2018 and 2019, Aceh also ranked second in the IMTI awards.
“This is a collective achievement in advancing Aceh’s halal-based tourism industry,” said Imam.
Imam expressed his highest appreciation for this achievement in the effort to develop halal tourism that is welcoming to Muslim visitors on a sustainable basis in Aceh. He believed that Aceh’s success in securing second place as a Muslim-Friendly Tourism Destination would strengthen the province’s positioning as a worthy halal tourism destination for visitors.
“This also serves as motivation to perform with greater confidence and compete with other regions in Indonesia in particular and the world in general,” he continued.
Imam stressed that Aceh’s tourism must adopt global standards. He hoped that Aceh’s tourism industry players would continue to work hard to achieve first place in the upcoming Muslim-Friendly Tourism Destination competition.
“This success is a collective success and must be maintained to perform even better,” said Imam.
Imam commended all players in the hotel industry, tourism operators, creative economy businesses, and all stakeholders who have been involved in supporting and advancing tourism in Aceh. He also encouraged a robust campaign to promote Aceh as a friendly, safe, comfortable, and attractive tourism destination.
“Receiving this award is expected to attract tourists to visit Aceh so that the target of 2.5 million visitors can be achieved,” said Imam.