Saturday, June 14, 2025

Hong Kong’s rise to third place in the Mastercard-CrescentRating 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index signals a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to become a more inclusive and accessible destination for Muslim travelers. This recognition, which also includes being named the “Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year,” reflects the city’s strategic improvements in halal dining options, prayer facilities, and cultural understanding, positioning it as a top choice for Muslim tourists seeking comfort, convenience, and respect for their faith.

Hong Kong has made significant strides in positioning itself as a Muslim-friendly travel destination, securing the third spot in the Mastercard-CrescentRating 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index for non-Islamic countries. This ranking places the city among the world’s top destinations for Muslim travelers, following Singapore and the United Kingdom in the list’s top two positions. While this achievement marks a notable improvement, experts believe there is still ample room for Hong Kong to expand its appeal and fully cater to the growing Muslim market.

The announcement, made by the Hong Kong Tourism Board on Friday, confirmed the city’s rise by one position on the prestigious global ranking. In addition to securing third place, Hong Kong was awarded the title of “Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year.” This recognition serves as an acknowledgment of the city’s ongoing efforts to ensure that its services, infrastructure, and cultural offerings are increasingly accommodating to Muslim travelers, who are a fast-growing demographic in global tourism.

The CrescentRating, a Singapore-based consultancy firm specializing in the Muslim travel market, played a pivotal role in the assessment of Hong Kong’s Muslim-friendly services. Commissioned by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, CrescentRating conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the city’s facilities and services dedicated to Muslim visitors. This evaluation helped the city to rise in the rankings, affirming Hong Kong’s status as one of the leading non-Islamic countries catering to Muslim tourists.

Peter Lam Kin-ngok, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, expressed his excitement over the recognition, noting that the ranking was a result of collaboration between the government and the tourism sector. Through strategic partnerships, Hong Kong has worked to diversify its tourism market by actively addressing the unique needs of Muslim travelers. This partnership has led to tangible results, with over 60 establishments in Hong Kong earning the Muslim-friendly accreditation from CrescentRating.

CrescentRating’s evaluation of the city’s hospitality sector has resulted in some of Hong Kong’s leading hotels receiving high marks. Nine properties, including prominent establishments like the Island Shangri-La, Dorsett Tsuen Wan, and Kerry Hotel, have earned the highest ratings of five out of seven, with several offering tailored services for halal-conscious travelers. These services include halal food options, prayer rooms, and other amenities designed to enhance the comfort of Muslim guests.

The CrescentRating scale uses a range of scores from one to seven to assess hotels, with the top-tier ratings of six and seven specifically awarded to properties that offer specialized services, such as halal food and prayer spaces. This grading system is crucial in helping Muslim travelers make informed decisions about their accommodations. In Hong Kong, these ratings reflect the city’s commitment to providing high-quality, halal-friendly services, though experts still see room for improvement in some areas.

While the city has made commendable progress, some challenges remain, particularly in ensuring that businesses have an authentic understanding of halal practices and Muslim cultural requirements. Sharifa Leung, founder of Hani Halal, a halal food consultancy, acknowledged the progress Hong Kong has made but also highlighted key areas for further development. For instance, some hotels and tourist attractions that have made provisions for Muslim prayer rituals, such as offering ablution facilities, have overlooked the need for gender-segregated spaces. Often, a single shared space is provided, which does not align with Islamic practices that require men and women to have separate facilities.

Another point of concern involves the design of prayer rooms, where some establishments have incorporated large, reflective windows. This design choice contradicts Islamic guidelines, which advise against distractions during prayer. Such oversights, while seemingly minor, can detract from the overall experience for Muslim visitors and highlight the need for greater cultural sensitivity.

The food sector also faces challenges in fully embracing halal principles. Some restaurants have misunderstood halal requirements, assuming that dishes become halal simply by reciting a prayer over them. Additionally, there have been instances where Arabic script has been confused with Urdu, which can create confusion and raise concerns for Muslim tourists seeking authentic halal meals.

Despite these challenges, Hong Kong is poised to strengthen its position as a Muslim-friendly destination in the coming years. The city has already demonstrated its willingness to engage with the growing Muslim travel market and adapt its offerings accordingly. As more businesses embrace halal-friendly services and enhance their understanding of Muslim travelers’ needs, Hong Kong’s position in the rankings is likely to improve further.

In comparison to other countries, the top-ranked nations for Muslim tourism were dominated by Islamic-majority countries. Malaysia topped the list, followed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Indonesia. However, Hong Kong’s impressive rise in the rankings among non-Islamic nations showcases its commitment to inclusivity and the city’s determination to diversify its tourism offerings.

Hong Kong has climbed to third place in the Mastercard-CrescentRating 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index, marking a significant leap in its appeal to Muslim travelers. The city was also honored as the “Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year,” highlighting its growing efforts to cater to Islamic travel needs.

Overall, Hong Kong’s inclusion in the top three Muslim-friendly destinations is a positive development for the city’s tourism industry. With continued efforts to enhance the Muslim travel experience, the city is well-positioned to attract even more visitors from this growing demographic. As it expands its offerings and addresses the remaining challenges, Hong Kong can look forward to even greater success in attracting Muslim travelers in the years ahead.