The 2025 Halal in Travel (HIT) Awards, hosted at the Village Hotel Katong on Thursday, 12th June 2025, was a vibrant celebration of progress, commitment, and excellence within the Halal travel sector. Bringing together influential figures and pioneers from across the industry, the ceremony paid tribute to the year's most outstanding contributors across various categories. These accolades not only highlight significant advancements in Muslim-friendly travel but also establish new standards for service and quality. Join us as we explore the exceptional accomplishments of this year’s honorees.
Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) Awards
Several destinations were honored at the Mastercard-CrescentRating GMTI Awards for their strong commitment to fostering Muslim-friendly environments.
Top Destination of The Year: Malaysia
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Malaysia has once again proven its leadership in the Muslim travel market by securing the prestigious title of Top Destination of the Year. This accolade reflects the nation’s strong commitment to enhancing Muslim-friendly tourism through authentic cultural experiences, world-class hospitality, and a well-developed halal travel ecosystem.
Singapore has been honored with the title of Top Destination of the Year (non-OIC), reinforcing its position as a leading destination for Muslim travel outside the OIC countries. This prestigious recognition reflects Singapore’s ongoing commitment to halal travel, inclusive hospitality, and the development of Muslim-friendly tourism experiences. With accessible prayer spaces, halal-certified dining, and culturally respectful offerings, Muslim travelers in Singapore are assured a seamless and enriching journey. Congratulations to the Singapore Tourism Board for championing inclusive travel and setting a high benchmark in the global halal travel landscape
Most Promising Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year
Hong Kong has transformed its hospitality landscape with over 60 hotels offering Muslim-friendly services and more than 190 halal-certified establishments in just 18 months. This remarkable progress reflects its commitment to becoming a welcoming, accessible destination for Muslim travelers.
Muslim Friendly Service Provider Awards
Under the Muslim-Friendly Service Provider Awards category, several exceptional organizations were honored for their dedication to serving the unique needs of Muslim travelers. These awardees have demonstrated remarkable innovation, offering tailored services that enhance the halal travel experience. Their commitment to excellence is helping to raise industry standards and shape a more inclusive, Muslim-friendly tourism landscape.
Muslim-friendly Hotel Chain of the Year: Megaworld Hotels & Resorts
As the first hotel chain in the Philippines with six CrescentRated properties, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts sets the standard in Muslim-friendly hospitality. The group features halal-certified kitchens, dedicated prayer rooms, and personalized amenities, delivered with the signature warmth of Filipino hospitality. The award was received by Ms. Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director.
A Crescent Rated 5 hotel, The Mira offers halal-certified breakfast at Yamm and halal Cantonese cuisine at its Michelin-recommended restaurant. Its first-ever 'Eid al-Adha in Style' buffet blended Middle Eastern cuisine, Dubai-style desserts, and curated stay packages, delivering culture, comfort, and cuisine in one experience. Mr. Alexander Otto Wassermann, Head of Hotels and Serviced Apartments, received the award on behalf of the hotel.
Muslim-friendly Hotel of the Year: Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong
Kowloon Shangri-La is a Crescent Rated 5 hotel offering halal options across all its outlets—from Japanese at Nadaman to Italian at Angelini, international dishes at Lobby Lounge, and a certified Halal Kitchen at Café Kool. Its dedicated Ramadan and Eid offerings further showcase its commitment to inclusive hospitality. The award was received by Mr. Mark Bannon, Director of Operations.
Muslim-friendly Attraction of the Year: Ngong Ping 360 Limited
Ngong Ping 360 offers prayer rooms, water-friendly washrooms for ablution, and a halal-certified restaurant serving Middle Eastern cuisine. This combination of spiritual ease and cultural adventure makes it a standout experience for Muslim travelers. Mr. James Tung, Managing Director, accepted the award.
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The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong has received the prestigious award for Outstanding Contribution to Hong Kong’s Halal Dining Landscape. Mr. Abdul Rehman Ansari, Trustee & In-charge of BOT Halal Certification, accepted the award in recognition of their pivotal role in supporting and expanding halal-certified dining options across the city. This achievement marks a significant step toward making Hong Kong a more inclusive and welcoming destination for Muslim travelers. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre has been awarded the prestigious title of Muslim-friendly Convention & Exhibition Centre of the Year. HKCEC offers male and female prayer spaces, Qibla indicators, water-friendly washrooms, and halal-certified food services. Its Gold Crescent Rating affirms its leadership in inclusive, Muslim-friendly MICE facilities. Congratulations to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on this well-earned achievement!
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Since 2007, Mohd Chan Group has grown into one of Malaysia’s largest halal Chinese restaurant chains, serving over 5,000 customers daily. With halal and tayyib Cantonese cuisine, it brings authentic Chinese dining closer to the Muslim community. Datuk Wira Mustafa Chan, CEO of Mohd Chan Group, received the award.
The HalalTrip Travelers’ Choice Awards celebrate destinations, businesses, and experiences that have won the hearts of Muslim travelers worldwide. Voted by the community, these awards honor those who consistently deliver meaningful, Muslim-friendly experiences that resonate with authenticity and care. The winners reflect the evolving preferences of today’s faith-based travelers and are helping shape a more accessible, welcoming global travel landscape.
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Switzerland Tourism has been awarded the prestigious title of Halal Travel Marketing Campaign of the Year. Mr. Batiste Pillet, Director Southeast Asia, accepted the award in recognition of Switzerland Tourism’s innovative efforts in promoting the country as a welcoming destination for Muslim travelers through culturally inclusive storytelling, targeted outreach, and authentic halal-friendly experiences. Congratulations to Switzerland Tourism for leading the way in halal travel marketing excellence!
Taipei City Government has been honored with the prestigious title of Muslim Women-friendly City Destination of the Year. Ms. Yung-Hua Shen, Chief Secretary of Taipei City Government, accepted the award in recognition of the city’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for Muslim women travelers—through accessible facilities, cultural sensitivity, and thoughtful initiatives that support faith-based needs. Congratulations to Taipei for championing inclusive travel for all.
A driving force behind the Philippines’ Muslim-friendly tourism strategy, Myra led the creation of national DOT guidelines and spearheaded successful initiatives such as the "Marhaba Boracay" project. Through these programs, she has helped hospitality providers better serve Muslim travelers and has championed a more inclusive and respectful travel environment throughout the archipelago. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
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Hassan Bulbul has been awarded the prestigious title of Halal Travel Influencer of the Year. This recognition celebrates his inspiring storytelling, impactful content, and dedication to promoting Muslim-friendly travel experiences around the world. Through his engaging platforms, Hassan continues to empower Muslim travelers and raise awareness of inclusive, halal-conscious destinations. Congratulations on this well-earned achievement!
Dr. Nurhafihz Noor Named Halal Travel Scholar of the Year
Dr. Nurhafihz Noor has been honored with the distinguished title of Halal Travel Scholar of the Year. This award recognizes his significant academic contributions and thought leadership in advancing the understanding of halal tourism and Muslim-friendly travel. Through his research and advocacy, Dr. Nurhafihz has played a vital role in shaping the future of inclusive and faith-based travel. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
The 2025 Halal in Travel Awards shone a spotlight on the exceptional achievements driving the growth of halal travel and Muslim-friendly tourism worldwide. From leading halal destinations and travel service providers to inspiring individuals, this year’s award winners have demonstrated a deep commitment to delivering inclusive, high-quality, and faith-based travel experiences for Muslim travelers.
Presented at the prestigious Halal in Travel Global Summit 2025, the Awards reflect the industry's progress toward a more accessible and diverse travel ecosystem. As halal tourism continues to evolve, these trailblazers set new benchmarks in innovation, customer experience, and sustainability—helping position Muslim-friendly travel as a vital and growing segment of the global tourism market.
The Summit and Awards play a crucial role in recognizing leaders in halal travel, encouraging greater collaboration, and shaping the future of inclusive, values-driven tourism.
