The Halal In Travel Global Summit 2023, organized by CrescentRating and HalalTrip, culminated in a grand award ceremony at the Village Hotel Katong in Singapore. The Halal In Travel Awards recognized excellence in destinations, service providers, and marketing campaigns that have shown remarkable commitment and innovation in serving the global Muslim travel market.
Mastercard-CrescentRating GMTI Awards saw several destinations being recognized for their dedication to creating Muslim-friendly environments:
It is an honor to announce that Indonesia and Malaysia have jointly clinched the esteemed accolade of Top Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of both destinations in catering to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers while upholding the highest standards of hospitality and cultural authenticity.
The exemplary leadership of Dr. Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, representing Indonesia, and YB Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, representing Malaysia, played a pivotal role in securing this prestigious award. Congratulations to Dr. Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno and YB Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, along with both destinations' entire tourism and hospitality sectors, for their exceptional achievements. This well-deserved recognition highlights the immense progress made by Indonesia and Malaysia in enhancing their Muslim-friendly offerings, and it is hoped and anticipated for their continued success in shaping the future of halal tourism.
Singapore has won the prestigious Top Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year award (non-OIC), with Ms. Juliana Kua, Assistant Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, representing Singapore as the recipient. Their dedication to providing exceptional experiences for Muslim travelers and their efforts in promoting cultural inclusivity has been recognized. Congratulations to Ms. Juliana Kua and the Singapore Tourism Board for this well-deserved honor.
Malaysia has been awarded the prestigious title of Muslim Women-friendly Destination of the Year. YB Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, represented Malaysia as the recipient of this esteemed award. Malaysia's commitment to creating an inclusive and empowering environment for Muslim women travelers has been recognized. Congratulations to YB Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan and the entire Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Malaysia, for their remarkable achievement in strengthening Malaysia's position as a leading destination for Muslim women travelers.
The Philippines has been awarded the title of Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of The Year (non-OIC). H.E. Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Undersecretary of the Department of Tourism Philippines, received the award in recognition of the country's progress in catering to the needs of Muslim travelers. Congratulations to H.E. Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar and the Department of Tourism Philippines for their outstanding achievement in promoting a welcoming and inclusive tourism industry.
Türkiye has been awarded the prestigious title of Most Accessible Destination of the Year (by Air). H.E. Mehmet Burçin Gönenli, Ambassador of Türkiye to Singapore, received the award in recognition of Türkiye's outstanding efforts in providing excellent air connectivity for travelers. Congratulations to H.E. Mehmet Burçin Gönenli and the Türkiye Embassy in Singapore for their remarkable achievement in enhancing Türkiye's accessibility as a leading destination.
Japan has been awarded the title of Sustainable Destination of the Year. Mayumi Yamamoto, representing the Japan National Tourism Organization Singapore Office, received the award for their exceptional efforts in promoting sustainable practices in Japan's tourism industry. Congratulations to Mayumi Yamamoto and the Japan National Tourism Organization Singapore Office for their remarkable achievement in fostering sustainability in tourism.
Indonesia has been awarded Stakeholder Awareness Campaign of the Year. Mr. Riyanto Sofyan, Chairman of SofyanCorp, and Mr. Afdhal Aliasar, Director of KNEKS, received the honor for their exceptional efforts in promoting sustainable development and engaging stakeholders. Congratulations to Mr. Riyanto Sofyan, Mr. Afdhal Aliasar, and their respective teams for this achievement.
Under the category of the Muslim-friendly Service Provider Awards, a multitude of remarkable organizations has been deservedly lauded for their unwavering commitment to providing bespoke offerings that cater to the needs and preferences of Muslim travelers. This prestigious accolade acknowledges the exceptional dedication of these service providers in creating memorable experiences, ensuring halal services, and facilitating convenient facilities for Muslim tourists. Each recognized organization has demonstrated remarkable innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence, setting new benchmarks for the industry. It is with great pride and admiration that we celebrate the outstanding achievements of these recipients, whose dedication and passion have contributed to the growth and enhancement of Muslim-friendly travel experiences around the world.
Shaza Hotels, UAE, has been awarded the prestigious title of Muslim-friendly Hotel Chain of the Year. Shaji Abu Salih, Corporate Director - Business Development at Shaza Hotels, received recognition for his exceptional leadership. Congratulations to Shaza Hotels and Shaji Abu Salih for their outstanding achievements in providing exceptional hospitality experiences for Muslim travelers.
Wome Deluxe in Türkiye has proven its excellence in Muslim-friendly hospitality by being awarded the prestigious title of Muslim-friendly Hotel of the Year received by Mr. Emre Kandemir. This recognition follows their previous success in winning the Muslim-friendly Beach Resort of the Year award last year. Congratulations to Wome Deluxe, Türkiye, for their outstanding dedication to providing exceptional experiences for Muslim travelers.
Resorts World Cruises - Genting Dream Cruise Ship in Singapore has been honored with the prestigious Muslim-friendly Cruise Line of the Year award. Mr. Michael Goh, the President of Resorts World Cruises, received this well-deserved recognition for the outstanding leadership in the Cruise sector. Congratulations to Resorts World Cruises and Mr. Michael Goh for their exceptional commitment to providing tailored cruise experiences for Muslim travelers.
Holiday Bosnia has been honored as the Muslim-friendly Tour Operator of the Year. Kamraan Siddiqui, the Managing Director and Founder, deserves recognition for his exceptional leadership. Congratulations to Holiday Bosnia and Kamraan Siddiqui for their outstanding commitment to providing tailored travel experiences for Muslim travelers.
Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa in South Africa has been honored as the Muslim-friendly Game Reserve and National Park of the Year with Mr. Johan Van Schalkwyk, the Group Marketing and Trade Manager of Aquilla Collection, as the recipient of this award. Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa's commitment to providing tailored experiences for Muslim travelers is commendable.
Abdul Maalik Tailor, based in the UK, has been recognized as the Halal Travel Tour Guide of the Year, a truly remarkable achievement. This prestigious award highlights Abdul Maalik Tailor's exceptional skills and expertise in providing memorable and culturally sensitive travel experiences. Congratulations to Abdul Maalik Tailor for his outstanding contributions to the field of halal travel, serving as an exemplary guide for Muslim travelers around the world.
The HalalTrip Travelers Choice Awards honored a selection of city destinations for their exceptional dedication to providing enriching experiences for Muslim travelers. These recognized destinations have gone above and beyond in catering to the unique needs of Muslim tourists, offering halal dining options, prayer facilities, and culturally immersive experiences. Congratulations to all the deserving destinations that have received this prestigious recognition, setting new industry standards and showcasing their commitment to inclusivity and cultural understanding.
Taipei City, Taiwan, has achieved the remarkable honor of being named the Most Promising Muslim-friendly City Destination of the Year (Non-OIC). Shu-Hui Chen, the Commissioner of the Department of Information and Tourism in the Taipei City Government, received this prestigious award. Congratulations to Taipei City and Commissioner Shu-Hui Chen for their outstanding achievements in promoting Muslim-friendly tourism, paving the way for memorable experiences in this vibrant city.
Khiva, a captivating city in Uzbekistan, has been honored with the esteemed title of Islamic Heritage Destination of the Year. This remarkable recognition highlights the rich cultural and historical significance of Khiva and its commitment to preserving its Islamic heritage. Congratulations to the City of Khiva for promoting and showcasing Khiva's exceptional Islamic heritage to the world. This award is a testament to the collective efforts of the people of Khiva and their dedication to preserving and celebrating their Islamic legacy. Abdullaeva Zarrina Azamovna, Head of the Department of Domestic and Pilgrims Tourism & Khujaev Azamat Bakhramovich, Head of the Department of Khorezm region, accepted the award on behalf of Khiva. H. E. Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Uzbekistan gave an acceptance speech via video.
Málaga, a vibrant city in Spain, has earned the prestigious title of Halal Travel Marketing Campaign of the Year. This significant recognition celebrates their outstanding efforts. H.E. Mercedes Alonso Frayle, The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Singapore, and Monica Sanchez, the Director-Tourism Counselor at the Spain Tourism Board-Embassy of Spain, accepted the award on behalf of the city of Málaga. Their collaborative dedication and innovative marketing strategies have effectively showcased Málaga as a halal-friendly destination. Congratulations to Málaga, H.E. Mercedes Alonso Frayle, and Monica Sanchez for this achievement, which serves as a testament to their commitment to promoting inclusive tourism experiences in the vibrant city of Málaga.
The awards were presented during the Halal In Travel Global Summit 2023, a pioneering event dedicated to driving growth, innovation, and inclusivity in the global travel and tourism industry. The Summit and the awards aim to spotlight leaders who are paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse travel sector.
“It is great to be here surrounded by passionate advocates of the Muslim-friendly tourism and hospitality (MFTH) sector from around the world. Alhamdulillah, I'm deeply honored to receive the awards for Top Muslim-friendly Destination of The Year (OIC) and Muslim Women-friendly Destination of The Year on behalf of Malaysia today.”
Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia.
“Taipei City is honored to receive Most Promising Muslim-friendly City Destination of The Year (non-OIC) from CrescentRating. It is so exciting to be recognized for our efforts and the commitments toward Muslim-friendly environment.”
Su-Hui Chen, Commissioner, Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government.
CrescentRating congratulates all the winners for their exceptional commitment and invites the global travel industry to continue working towards creating more inclusive and welcoming experiences for Muslim travelers.
For more content regarding the Halal In Travel 2023, please check out this playlist!
