The 5th edition of the Halal In Travel Global Summit (HITGS) concluded successfully, bringing together participants from over 40 countries in a hybrid format. The summit underscored the growing demand for inclusive, values-based travel and revealed that over 80% of Muslim travellers prioritize destinations that offer authentic experiences, digital ease, and sustainability.
HITGS 2025 amplified the call for deeper collaboration across the travel ecosystem to serve the evolving needs of Muslim travelers. The summit emphasized a number of thought-provoking themes: embracing AI for personalization, embedding sustainability into halal tourism, elevating premium Muslim traveler experiences, and future-proofing destinations using the Responsible, Immersive, Digital, and Assured (RIDA) framework.
Global Attendance, Local Impact
Hosted across three days from 10–12 June 2025, HITGS featured two days of virtual panels and a high-impact in-person finale in Village Hotel Katong in Singapore. The summit attracted global representation from tourism boards, hospitality brands, travel tech innovators, and government stakeholders.
The in-person day was attended by key stakeholders, including:
- Harry Hwang, Director for Asia and the Pacific at UN Tourism
- H.E. Rabia Shafiq, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Singapore
- Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Undersecretary, Philippine Department of Tourism ● Liew Chian Jia, Regional Director, Hong Kong Tourism Board
- Yung-Hua Shen, Chief Secretary, Taipei City Government
- Paul Shih, Director, Taiwan Tourism Administration Singapore Office
- Marta Fernández Martín, Market Manager South East Asia, Turespaña
- Terrence Voon, Executive Director, Singapore Tourism Board
Highlights from the Conference
The summit's agenda tackled the most pressing issues and innovations in Halal tourism through engaging panels, case studies, and keynote addresses. Notable topics included:
- AI-Powered Travel: Speakers such as Dincer Özkaya, Abdulmaalik Tailor, and Sadia Ramzan explored how AI can enhance personalization, efficiency, and culturally sensitive Muslim travel experiences.
- The RIDA Framework: A session moderated by Shafa Dewi Nugroho featured experts including Dr. Barkathunnisha Abu Bakar, Dr. Nurhafihz Noor, and Tawfiq Ikhtianto, discussing future-proofing strategies based on CrescentRating’s Responsible, Immersive, Digital, and Assured (RIDA) model.
- Environmental Stewardship: Sustainability champions including Taufan Rahmadi, Saeeda Ahmed, and Jack Sim highlighted how Halal tourism can support climate goals and ethical travel.
- Destination Transformation: The panel “Diversifying for Resilience: Hong Kong’s Muslim-Friendly Transformation”, moderated by Raudha Zaini, featured leaders from The Mira Hong Kong, Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong, and Ocean Park Hong Kong, showcasing coordinated efforts to enhance Muslim-friendly infrastructure in Hong Kong.
- Premium Muslim Travelers: Gary Bowerman, Marta Fernández Martín, and others examined how the rising segment of affluent, experience-driven Muslim travelers is reshaping service design and marketing.
Germany Halal Travel Guide Debuts at HITGS 2025
A key moment on the third day of the summit was the official launch of the Germany Halal Travel Guide (HTG), a digital publication developed by CrescentRating and HalalTrip, in collaboration with the German National Tourist Board (GNTB).
The guide is designed to help Muslim travelers explore Germany with ease, confidence, and cultural comfort. Created with the needs of modern Muslim travelers in mind, the guide also features:
- Verified Halal food options and prayer spaces
- Accessible washroom and ablution facilities
- Highlights of mosques and Muslim heritage across regions
- Travel tips for families, women, and solo Muslim travelers
Building on the momentum of this year’s success, CrescentRating and HalalTrip announced that Halal In Travel Global Summit 2026 will return on 19-21 May 2026. The summit will continue to champion inclusion, innovation, and sustainability across the global Halal travel ecosystem.
