JAKARTA – A comprehensive new study reveals a significant pattern in international travel behavior: halal food availability ranks as the primary consideration for 89% of Indonesian Muslims when choosing vacation destinations, surpassing factors like pricing, security, or entertainment offerings. The research, carried out in June 2025 by Vero in partnership with GMO-Z.com Research and involving 509 Indonesian Muslims aged 18 and above, demonstrates how religiously-aligned dining preferences are driving a halal tourism industry projected to reach $410.9 billion by 2032. With Indonesia’s 230 million Muslim population leading this transformation, the findings provide crucial intelligence for travelers and substantial commercial prospects for the international hospitality industry.

Primary Survey Findings: Halal Dining Takes Center Stage

The research, designed to reflect Indonesia’s varied demographic composition, discovered that 89% of survey participants place halal dining access at the forefront when organizing travel plans. This priority supersedes alternative travel factors, with 35% of participants traveling once or twice annually and 25% taking three or more trips, predominantly with family members (60%) or partners (19%). Digital technology plays a central role: 70% utilize applications specifically created for halal travel purposes, 89% depend on social media influencers for destination recommendations, and 45% make reservations through Muslim-oriented booking platforms. Search engine information from August 2024 through August 2025 indicates 3.4 million inquiries for halal dining establishments, representing 27% of all travel-related searches originating from Indonesia.

Furthermore, availability of worship facilities and religious services, including Qibla direction tools and ablution facilities, represents a major priority, with 7.4 million searches recorded for halal-certified lodging options. Diah Andrini Dewi, executive director at Vero Indonesia, notes, “Destinations that emphasize these accommodations show cultural awareness, establishing a hospitable atmosphere for Muslim visitors.” Interestingly, merely 11% of survey participants consider official halal certifications crucial, indicating a requirement for enhanced confidence in certification mechanisms despite acknowledgment of authorities such as Indonesia’s Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI).

2025 Halal Tourism Developments: Health, Heritage, and Technology

These results correspond with wider 2025 patterns in halal tourism, highlighting wellness experiences, cultural immersion, and digital innovation. The Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2025 documents a 25% increase in international Muslim travelers, totaling 176 million in 2024, with forecasts reaching 245 million by 2030. Indonesia is positioned to capture 10% of the worldwide halal market by 2025, enhancing its infrastructure to achieve top global rankings by 2026.

Favored destinations encompass Malaysia, celebrated for its comprehensive halal infrastructure, along with developing markets including Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, which provide certified dining establishments and prayer accommodations. More than 60% of travelers express willingness to spend additional funds for wellness-oriented offerings, such as halal spa treatments in Bali or cultural heritage experiences in Turkey. Cost-effectiveness, nevertheless, remains a primary consideration for family travelers, emphasizing the demand for budget-friendly alternatives.

Commercial Prospects for Tourism Industries

The survey delivers an explicit roadmap for hospitality and tourism sectors. Shinichi Hosokawa, global CEO of GMO-Z.com Research, declares, “Organizations that prioritize transparent halal certifications and ethical operations will secure the confidence of this expanding market segment.” Indonesia’s administration is facilitating this transition through initiatives like the Halal Indonesia International Industry Expo 2025, encouraging partnerships to advance halal-compatible services. Hariyanto, deputy for tourism infrastructure, emphasizes, “Complete experiences—integrating cuisine, prayer accommodations, and cultural sensitivity—are essential to satisfying traveler requirements.”

Practical Recommendations for Indonesian Muslim Travelers in 2025

To guarantee a smooth and satisfying halal-compatible travel experience in 2025, Indonesian Muslim travelers can utilize digital resources like HalalTrip to identify halal restaurants and prayer locations in real-time, while Qibla applications offer spiritual convenience during travel. Destinations such as Malaysia, featuring over 5,000 certified dining establishments, or Japan, with its expanding halal food sector, represent excellent options, and travelers should authenticate certifications through platforms like MUI or BPJPH. Reservation through platforms offering halal-specific selection criteria, such as Traveloka, streamlines locating accommodations with prayer amenities, though travelers should anticipate spending 10-20% additionally for premium services and pursue discounts during less busy periods like post-Eid seasons. For wellness-centered journeys, halal retreat centers in Lombok or cultural expeditions in Saudi Arabia provide meaningful experiences. Additionally, selecting environmentally-conscious operators corresponds with the increasing preference among Indonesian Muslims for sustainable travel approaches.

An Era of Culturally-Sensitive Travel

With halal cuisine directing the travel decisions of 89% of Indonesian Muslims, 2025 heralds a fresh chapter of culturally-enriching, faith-compatible tourism. Destinations that welcome inclusivity will prosper, providing Indonesian travelers the opportunity to explore while maintaining their religious principles. This movement not only empowers a vibrant community but also establishes a worldwide benchmark for hospitality excellence.

Original Article:

Halal Times. (2025, October 3). Survey Shows Halal Food Drives Travel Choices for 89% of Indonesian Muslims.  Retrieved from https://www.halaltimes.com/survey-shows-halal-food-drives-travel-choices-for-89-of-indonesian-muslims/