Indonesia: towards the first place in halal tourism — Oumma interview with Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana
During an exclusive exchange during the London International Tourism Show (WTM London 2025), Oumma spoke with Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Indonesian Minister of Tourism. She immediately emphasized that “Indonesia intends to become one of the world references in halal tourism”recalling that the country “has a unique cultural and religious heritage, capable of offering Muslim travelers an experience that is both authentic and serene”. Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world by population, intends to consolidate its leadership position in the booming halal tourism market, estimated at more than $300 billion.
Umma: Muslim tourism today represents a market estimated at nearly 300 billion dollars. How is Indonesia positioning itself in this growing segment?
Widiyanti Putri Wardhana: Indonesia is home to the largest Muslim population in the world, which naturally makes it a favored destination for Muslim travelers. Today we want to strengthen this position by attracting more visitors, whether from the Middle East or Europe. With this in mind, I will travel to Saudi Arabia next week to deepen our tourism cooperation. Furthermore, we have identified 15 priority provinces specially adapted to Muslim tourism, in order to offer a more complete and harmonious experience to this segment of travelers.
What motivated the choice of these particular regions
Islam first penetrated Indonesia through these regions, notably via Sumatra and neighboring islands. They therefore occupy an essential historical place in our religious culture. Added to this is the island of Lombok, which today stands out as an excellent alternative to Bali with an offer more in line with the needs of Muslim visitors.
Are the tourist infrastructures of Lombok today comparable to those of Bali, particularly for Muslim travelers who sometimes say they do not find in Bali an environment adapted to their practices?
Indeed, Bali is predominantly Hindu. It is an island known worldwide for its welcome and friendliness, and it alone concentrates almost 50% of international arrivals in Indonesia. The residents there are particularly warm and open. However, it is true that the island has less “Muslim-friendly” infrastructure than other regions of the country, which are more equipped to meet the specific needs of Muslim travelers.
What about the halal food supply in Bali and, more broadly, the halal certification system in Indonesia?
In Bali, the catering offer is very varied and there are many halal certified establishments. When a traveler sees a halal label on the island, they can completely trust it – like everywhere else in Indonesia. Moreover, the president recently created a government agency dedicated to issuing official halal certifications, which demonstrates the seriousness and importance we attach to this subject.
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