Hong Kong Ranks No. 2 Among The World’s Best Muslim-Friendly Non-OIC Destinations

Hong Kong has always been one of Asia’s most exciting city escapes, with its skyline views, street markets, theme parks, shopping districts, harbourfronts, and endless food discoveries. But for Muslim travellers, the city is becoming more than just a quick urban getaway.

It is now officially one of the world’s top Muslim-friendly destinations outside the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, after securing second place in the Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year (Non-OIC) category at the Halal in Travel Awards 2026.

This is a big step up for Hong Kong, which ranked third last year. The recognition shows how far the city has come in making travel easier, more inclusive, and more comfortable for Muslim visitors.

Also read: The Ultimate Muslim Guide to Hong Kong: Mosques, Hotels, and Halal Culinary Delights

Hong Kong’s Muslim-friendly travel scene is growing fast

Image credit: HKTB | Official Website

For Muslim travellers, one of the biggest concerns when visiting a non-Muslim-majority destination is simple: will it be easy to find halal food, prayer spaces, and hotels that understand Muslim travel needs?

In Hong Kong, the answer is becoming increasingly reassuring.

The city now has close to 290 Muslim-friendly establishments, including 222 halal-certified and Muslim-owned eateries, as well as 61 Crescent Rated hotels. This means travellers have more options than before when planning where to eat, where to stay, and how to explore the city with confidence.

Whether you are craving halal Cantonese cuisine, looking for international halal dining, or travelling with family and need Muslim-friendly facilities nearby, Hong Kong is making it easier for Muslim visitors to experience the city without feeling like they have to compromise.

Hong Kong also ranked highly for accessible and Muslim women-friendly travel

Image credit: HKTB | Official Website

Beyond its overall ranking as the second Muslim-friendly destination of the year among Non-OIC destinations, Hong Kong also received recognition in other important categories.

The city retained its No. 1 ranking as the Muslim-friendly Accessible Travel Destination among Non-OIC destinations. This is especially meaningful for travellers who require more convenient access, smoother transport, or more inclusive tourism infrastructure.

Hong Kong also continued to rank highly as the Runner-up in the Muslim Women Friendly Travel Destination category among Non-OIC destinations. For Muslim women travellers, especially those travelling solo, with friends, or with family, this recognition adds another layer of confidence when choosing Hong Kong for a holiday.

Top Hong Kong attractions and tourism partners were recognised too

Hong Kong’s Muslim-friendly progress is not limited to restaurants and hotels. Several tourism stakeholders in the city were also recognised at the Halal in Travel Awards 2026.

Image credit: Kai Tak Cruise Terminal | Official Facebook

Kai Tak Cruise Terminal was named Muslim-friendly Transport Hub of the Year, highlighting Hong Kong’s efforts to support Muslim travellers arriving by sea or embarking on cruise journeys.

Image credit: Dorsett Tsuen Wan | Official Website

Dorsett Tsuen Wan Hong Kong won Muslim-friendly Hotel of the Year, reflecting the growing importance of accommodation that better understands the needs of Muslim guests.

Image credit: Aimi Zulkiflee

Ocean Park Hong Kong was also named Muslim-friendly Attraction of the Year, making it a strong option for families, couples, and groups looking for a fun day out with Muslim-friendly amenities available.

These recognitions show that Hong Kong’s Muslim-friendly tourism push is happening across the travel experience, from arrival points and hotels to attractions and dining.

HKTB’s “Jelajah Hong Kong” Campaign Also Won An Award

Another major highlight was the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s “Jelajah Hong Kong” campaign, which won Halal Travel Marketing Campaign of the Year.

“Jelajah” means “to discover”, making it a fitting name for a campaign that introduces Muslim travellers to a more inclusive side of Hong Kong. The campaign was created with Southeast Asian Muslim audiences in mind, using culturally relevant storytelling, curated destination content, and practical travel resources.

Image credit: Universal Music Malaya | Official Youtube

One of the biggest campaign highlights was the first-ever Raya music video filmed in Hong Kong, featuring Malaysian artists Ernie Zakri and Syamel Aqmal. This helped position Hong Kong not just as a destination to visit, but as a place where Muslim travellers from Southeast Asia can feel seen, understood, and welcomed.

What Muslim Travellers Can Look Forward To In Hong Kong

Image credit: HKTB | Official Website

If you have been thinking about planning a trip to Hong Kong, this recognition is a good reminder that the city is becoming more accessible for Muslim travellers.

You can enjoy classic Hong Kong experiences like visiting Victoria Peak, shopping in vibrant districts, exploring cultural neighbourhoods, spending the day at Ocean Park Hong Kong, or discovering the city’s harbour and cruise offerings through Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.

At the same time, Muslim travellers can now plan around a growing list of halal-certified restaurants, Muslim-owned eateries, prayer facilities, Muslim-friendly attractions, Crescent Rated hotels, and recommended itineraries.

This makes Hong Kong especially appealing for families, first-time visitors, Muslim women travellers, and Southeast Asian travellers who want the excitement of a big city holiday with more peace of mind.

HKTB will continue expanding Muslim-friendly tourism

Image credit: HKTB | Official Website

According to HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam, Hong Kong’s progress is the result of continued collaboration between the government, HKTB, and the travel trade.

Moving forward, HKTB plans to continue its strategy around accreditation, education, and promotion. This includes encouraging more tourism partners, F&B businesses, hotels, attractions, and related industries to introduce Muslim-friendly facilities and dining options.

For travellers, this means the Muslim-friendly experience in Hong Kong is likely to keep improving, with more resources, clearer information, and better support across the city.

Useful Muslim travel resources for Hong Kong

Image credit: HKTB | Official Website

To help travellers plan more easily, HKTB has also developed dedicated Muslim travel resources, including the Muslim Travel section on Discover Hong Kong and a digital Hong Kong Muslim Travel Guide.

These resources help travellers find halal-certified restaurants, prayer facilities, Muslim-friendly attractions, accommodation options, and suggested itineraries.

Before visiting, it is still a good idea to double-check halal certification, opening hours, prayer facilities, and hotel amenities directly with the respective businesses, as details may change from time to time.

Also read: 10 Best Muslim-Friendly Hotels in Hong Kong 2026 Guide: Halal Food & Nearby Mosques

Hong Kong is becoming easier for Muslim travellers to explore

Hong Kong’s latest recognition shows that Muslim-friendly travel is becoming a stronger part of the city’s tourism identity.

For Muslim travellers, this means more than just having a few halal restaurants to choose from. It means being able to explore a major Asian city with more comfort, confidence, and convenience, from dining and accommodation to attractions and travel planning.

So, if Hong Kong has been sitting on your travel wishlist, this might be the sign to start planning. The city is not only ready to welcome visitors with its iconic views, shopping streets, theme parks, and food culture, but also with a growing Muslim-friendly travel ecosystem designed to make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

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Image credit and information extracted from a press release by Hong Kong Tourism Board