REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia has been named as the world's best halal tourist destination based upon Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2019, outclassing 130 destinations across the world. Mastercard-Crescent rating agency put Indonesia on the first place based on GMTI standard, with a score of 78, along with Malaysia on the upper ranking, Crescent Rating CEO Fazal Bahardeen while delivering a GMTI Report 2019 said here on Tuesday.

"Indonesia is the only country which is most aggressively to develop halal tourist destination," he said.

As the world's best halal tourist destination, Indonesia has gradually improved its ranking from sixth in 2015, to fourth in 2016, third in 2017, second in 2018 and first in 2019, he said.

To become the best tourist destination in the world, Indonesia has made serious efforts by, among others, adopting Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI) which refers to GMTI standard, he said.

The GMTI report analyzes halal tourism based on four criteria including access, communication, environment and services, of which IMTI has also adopted. Indonesia has also aggressively provided technical coaching and organized workshop to operators of 10 excellent halal tourist destinations in the country.

Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya who also attended the function marking the release of GMTI Report 2019 praised Mastercard Crescent Global Muslim Travel Index for giving the highest score to Indonesia.

"Eventually, what we have dreamed of Indonesia being the world's best halal tourist destination has come true. This proves that we must make a plan to achieve victory," he said.

With Indonesia ranking first as halal tourist destination, the minister expressed hope more foreign tourists will visit Indonesia. Indonesia has targeted to attract 20 million tourists this year, of which five million will travel to the country on halal tourism.

Director of Mastercard Indonesia Tommy Singgih said halal tourism market is one of the tourism segments which recorded the fastest growth in the world. Halal tourism's contribution to the global economy is projected to jump 35 percent to 300 billion US dollar in 2020 from 220 billion US dollar in 2016. The 10 best halal tourist destinations include Indonesia and Malaysia with a score of 78, Turkey (75), Saudi Arabia (72), United Arab Emirates (71), Qatar (68), Marocco (67), Bahrain (66), Oman (66), and Brunei Darussalam (65).

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