An introduction to Muslim traveller needs as well as the business potential of halal tourism took centre stage at MITE 2025’s CrescentRating Certified: Muslim-Friendly Hotel Grading Seminar, held on April 25.
Daniswara Nugroho, head of business development and partnerships at CrescentRating, a Singapore-based research organisation specialising in halal travel, informed the audience that destination Macau is easily accessible to a sizeable segment of the world’s Muslim population. More than 30 per cent of the global Muslim population live within a six-hour flight time to Macau, while 60 per cent live within a 10-hour radius.
Furthermore, 70 per cent of global Muslims are under 40 years old, an age when they are at their most productive.
“They are in the workforce, they are very active, and possess disposable income,” added Daniswara.
“We project this (population of under 40) will only change slightly for the next 10 years, meaning that the opportunity (to attract a large number of ready Muslim travellers) will remain for a long time,” he emphasised.
Daniswara explained that the needs of Muslim travellers fall into three categories: Need to have, Good to have, and Nice to have. The Need to have category includes essentials such as halal food service, prayer facilities, and water-friendly washrooms. The Good to have category covers services like fasting support during Ramadan, local Muslim experiences, and social impact activities. The final category, Nice to have, comprises the absence of non-halal activities and recreational spaces offering privacy – often preferred by more conservative Muslims.
Daniswara assured Macau travel and tourism players keen on starting their halal tourism journey that the “level of implementation for every destination is different”, and for an “emerging” halal destination like Macau, it was only necessary to satisfy basic faith-based services.
CrescentRating’s research notes that Muslim travellers prioritise access to faith-based services at accommodation and transport terminals. Hence, Daniswara urged Macau companies in these areas to contribute strongly to Macau’s halal tourism readiness.
Jocelyn Wong, chairman of Macao Hotel Association, who also presented at the seminar, shared that the Macao Government Tourism Office has been actively building the industry up for Muslim tourism readiness, through “thoughtful initiatives such as Islamic culture workshops and training seminars”.
Wong added that these efforts “align with Macau’s broader goals of economic diversification and sustainable tourism development”.
The launch of CrescentRating halal tourism certification in Macau will “provide clear, actionable standards for hotels to follow, standards that respond directly to the needs of Muslim travellers, from halal dining options and designated prayer spaces to cultural awareness training for staff”.
“This initiative sends a powerful message to the world that Macau respects, embraces, and celebrates cultural diversity,” said Wong.
