West Java Goes Global: Halal Tourism as a New Engine for Indonesia's Sharia Economic Growth
The international award won by West Java Province as the ‘Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Region of The Year’ at the Halal In Travel Global Summit 2026 in Singapore is not merely a symbolic achievement in the tourism sector. More than that, this award is a strong signal that West Java has entered the strategic map of the global halal industry and has a significant opportunity to become the epicentre of Indonesia’s sharia economic growth.
The award, presented by Mastercard-CrescentRating, was based on a comprehensive assessment through the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2026, an index that for over a decade has been an international reference for measuring the readiness of Muslim-friendly travel destinations. The assessment covers aspects of accessibility, communication, a supportive environment, service quality, digital readiness, innovation, and the sustainability of the halal tourism ecosystem.
West Java’s success is increasingly meaningful as it occurs amidst the rising potential of the global Muslim travel market. The GMTI 2026 report notes that the number of international Muslim traveller trips is estimated to reach 186 million in 2025 and is projected to increase to around 245 million trips by 2030, making this segment one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in the world.
From a sharia economic perspective, halal tourism should not be narrowly understood as religious tourism. Halal tourism is an economic ecosystem that integrates transportation services, accommodation, halal cuisine, the creative industry, Muslim fashion, MSME products, sharia finance, and the digital economy. Every Muslim traveller’s visit essentially creates a multiplier effect that simultaneously drives various economic sectors.
Therefore, this award should be read as an investment opportunity, not just international recognition. West Java possesses very strong capital in the form of Indonesia’s largest population, Sundanese cultural wealth, diverse natural destinations, an extensive network of Islamic boarding schools, and thousands of halal MSME players ready to become part of the sharia tourism industry value chain.