Macau urged to tap Muslim tourism market via ZAPE development

Macau has been included for the first time in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025, earning high rankings across several key categories for non-OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) destinations.

Published by CrescentRating and Mastercard, the GMTI placed Macau fifth globally in the Muslim women-friendly destination category and 16th overall as a Muslim-friendly destination.

The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has been working to build a halal-friendly environment and promote the city to Muslim travelers, particularly from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Macau also ranked among the top 10 most accessible destinations for Muslim travelers with special needs, including multigenerational families and people with physical disabilities.

According to the Collective Wisdom Policy Centre (CWPC), this milestone offers an ideal moment for the government to harness the growing Muslim travel market – particularly by utilizing the strategic development of ZAPE.

Vice chairman Chui Sing Hong emphasized that Macau, as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and the Cultural Capital of East Asia, should not lag behind in offering halal-certified services and facilities.

By improving infrastructure in ZAPE – including halal-certified dining, prayer rooms, and Islamic cultural experiences – Chui said that the city can position itself as a “compelling destination for high-spending Muslim tourists from the Middle East and Southeast Asia.”

Citing data, Chui noted that the global Muslim population is projected to reach 27% of the world’s total by 2030.

In 2023, Hong Kong welcomed over 600,000 Muslim visitors, primarily from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Middle East.

Guangdong Province also recorded notable growth, with Guangzhou emerging as a popular transit hub due to its abundant halal offerings.

To capitalize on this trend, Chui suggests revitalizing shops in ZAPE district into halal supermarkets and Islamic cultural boutiques.

As cited in a Macao Daily report, he also proposes regular halal food festivals, enhanced digital promotion, and training local residents to serve as cultural ambassadors to raise service standards.

Chui also advocates for building a “Halal Tourism” brand in Macau by expanding halal dining options, prayer facilities, and training the tourism sector on halal standards.
To support this vision, Chui calls for policy support, including tax incentives and SME participation, as well as collaboration with Islamic country embassies to enhance international visibility.

“The Muslim market’s strong spending power and long stays represent a golden opportunity to boost community-level economic diversification,” he said, adding that the initiative could create new jobs in catering, retail, and cultural industries. Staff Reporter