Singapore’s CrescentRating Becomes First Local Company to Join UN Tourism as Affiliate Member
CrescentRating, a halal travel specialist, has achieved recognition as the inaugural Singapore-based enterprise admitted as an affiliate member of UN Tourism following its 26th General Assembly in Riyadh during November 2025.
CrescentRating chief executive and founder Fazal Bahardeen informed TTG Asia that affiliate member admission, a category encompassing companies including Airbnb, Booking.com, JTB, Klook and Traveloka, enhances the company’s credibility.
Fazal explained that UN Tourism affiliate member status reinforces CrescentRating’s credibility while expanding access to international collaboration and initiatives.
Approximately 500 affiliate members exist globally, establishing what Fazal characterized as a robust networking platform emphasizing knowledge sharing, collaboration and tourism advancement aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Membership delivers access to gatherings attended by governments and corporations, alongside opportunities to propose initiatives supported by UN Tourism through its Programme of Work (PoW) for affiliate members.
PoW proposal classifications include conferences and forums, workshops and training sessions, reports and publications, and services directed by affiliate members. Priority focus areas encompass institutional advancement, data and product development, sustainability and inclusion, investment and innovation, and workforce cultivation.
With CrescentRating officially authorized for halal tourism operations in 2026 and 2027, the company has secured PoW approval for a global halal gastronomy program, the Halal in Travel Gastronomy Summit, scheduled for Johor Bahru in October. Fazal indicated ongoing discussions with UN Tourism concerning project support.
Another approved PoW involves releasing a glossary for halal tourism, scheduled for presentation at the sixth Halal in Travel Global Summit, occurring in Singapore from June 9 through 11.
Following UN Tourism admission and PoW project approval, CrescentRating intends to expand its current 32-person workforce, emphasizing its four-member research team strengthening.
The company is additionally developing a collaborative report with Mastercard examining halal travel and sports tourism, scheduled for early February release.
Source:
TTG Asia. (2026). CrescentRating joins UN Tourism as affiliate member. TTG Asia.
https://www.ttgasia.com/2026/01/21/crescentrating-joins-un-tourism-as-affiliate-member/
