▲ Muslim travel operators point to Taiwan’s improving Muslim-friendly environment, warm hospitality, and local cultural appeal as key draws for Muslim visitors at recent Taiwan tourism promotion event in Kuala Lumpur. Photo by CNA reporter Huang Tzu-chiang in Kuala Lumpur, May 19, 2026.
Halal certification, much more than “no pork, no alcohol”, is also concerned with ingredient sourcing and processing, hygienic practices, and specific religious requirements. Muslim travel operators say Taiwan has steadily improved its Muslim-friendly environment in recent years and that its warmth and local cultural charm are major enticements for Muslim travelers to visit the country.
Kuala Lumpur, May 19 (CNA) — Malaysia, a Muslim majority country with a population of over 34 million, is an important strategic partner in Taiwan’s now decade-long “New Southbound Policy”. Taiwan’s Tourism Administration, the main government organization promoting inbound travel from Malaysia, has long promoted Taiwan tourism to Malaysia’s Chinese-speaking population. Notably, over the past decade, the Tourism Administration has also actively nurtured and guided the development of a Muslim-friendly travel ecosystem nationwide to attract more young Muslim travelers to Taiwan.
Pu Cheng-min, Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, noted at today’s Taiwan tourism promotion event in Kuala Lumpur that this is the Tourism Administration’s first Muslim-focused event held in Malaysia. He remarked that the Administration’s steady promotion of Muslim-friendly facilities and Halal certification in recent years has raised significantly the profile and attractiveness of Taiwan for international inbound Muslim travelers. The dynamic growth potential of Taiwan’s inbound Muslim travel market, Pu continued, cannot help but deepen people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between Taiwan and Malaysia.
Cheng Chih-hung, Director of the Tourism Administration’s International Affairs Division, shared that Taiwan has continued optimizing its Muslim-friendly tourism environment in recent years and now provides a wide and deep offering of Halal-certified dining options and Muslim-friendly facilities. In 2025, Taiwan was named the 4th most-Muslim-friendly non-OIC destination in the world on Mastercard’s benchmark Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), reflecting strong and growing international recognition of Taiwan’s tourism environment.
Aisyah, a Muslim travel operator attending the event, told CNA that, while Taiwan has actively promoted its Muslim-friendly environment in recent years, there remains room to improve broader societal understanding of Halal culture in the country. She believes businesses, restaurant operators, and the general public can all learn further about Muslim dietary and cultural needs to make life and travel in Taiwan more convenient for Muslims.
She said Halal dining cannot be simplified into “no pork,” “no lard,” and “no alcohol.” She stressed that Halal also touches on ingredient sources, preparation processes, and religious requirements. By continuing to raise awareness of Muslim-friendly practices, more people in Taiwan will learn how to interact, dine, and communicate with their Muslim friends.
Travel operator Syafika, speaking about her firsthand impressions of Taiwan, shared that, for Muslim travelers, Taiwan is already a fairly convenient and friendly destination. The many Muslim-friendly facilities and services offered help Muslims feel more at ease when eating out, staying in accommodations, and traveling.
She said Taiwan’s beautiful scenery, diverse cuisine, and warm and friendly people are highly attractive to Muslims. Taiwanese people are generally warm, friendly, and open to sharing their local culture and distinctive features with foreign visitors, creating comfortable, diverse, and memorable travel experiences for Muslim travelers.
Another travel operator, Iman, said he hopes more Malaysian travelers will visit Taiwan in the future and gain a deeper experience of Taiwan’s local culture and daily life.
He said that, in addition to its many tourist attractions, Taiwan also offers a wide range of distinctive activities for both tourists and locals to take part in. Further Tourism Administration promotion of these activities, Iman suggested, can help bring Malaysian travelers closer to everyday life in Taiwan and enjoy truly “local” travel experiences.
Editor: Tang Sheng-yang
May 19, 2026
▲ Taiwan’s first Muslim-focused tourism promotion event in Kuala Lumpur draws strong interest from Malaysian Muslim travel operators. Photo by CNA reporter Huang Tzu-chiang in Kuala Lumpur, May 19, 2026.
▲ TECO Malaysia Deputy Representative Pu Cheng-min (second from right) and Tourism Administration, International Affairs Division Director Cheng Chih-hung (second from left) strike a pose with Taiwan tourism promotion event guests in Kuala Lumpur. Photo by CNA reporter Huang Tzu-chiang, May 19, 2026.
👉 Original News Link: CNA