▲ At a Taiwan tourism promotion event in Kuala Lumpur, Muslim travel operators highlighted Taiwan’s improving Muslim-friendly environment, warm hospitality, and local cultural appeal as key draws for Muslim visitors. Photo by CNA reporter Huang Tzu-chiang in Kuala Lumpur, May 19, 2026.
Halal certification is not just about “no pork and no alcohol.” It also covers food sources, production processes, hygiene, and religious requirements. Muslim travel operators say Taiwan has continued to improve its Muslim-friendly environment in recent years, and that its warmth and local cultural charm have become major attractions for Muslim travelers visiting Taiwan.
Kuala Lumpur, May 19 (CNA) — Malaysia has a population of more than 34 million, the majority of whom are Muslims, making it one of Taiwan’s key source markets under the New Southbound Policy. In addition to targeting the Chinese-speaking market, Taiwan’s Tourism Administration is also promoting a Muslim-friendly travel environment specifically for Muslim communities, hoping to attract more young Muslim travelers to Taiwan.
Pu Cheng-min, Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, said today at a Taiwan tourism promotion event in Kuala Lumpur that the Tourism Administration is holding a Muslim-focused event for the first time this year. Since Malaysia is predominantly Muslim, the Halal-related market has strong growth potential. As Taiwan has continued to promote Muslim-friendly facilities and Halal certification in recent years, the Muslim travel market to Taiwan is expected to show strong promise, while also helping deepen people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between Taiwan and Malaysia.
Cheng Chih-hung, Director of the International Affairs Division of the Tourism Administration, MOTC, said Taiwan has continued to optimize its Muslim-friendly tourism environment in recent years. It has now established well-developed Halal-certified dining options and Muslim-friendly facilities. In 2025, Taiwan ranked No. 4 among non-OIC destinations in Mastercard’s Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), showing strong international recognition of Taiwan’s tourism environment.
Aisyah, a Muslim travel operator attending the event, told CNA that Taiwan has actively promoted a Muslim-friendly environment in recent years, but there is still room for broader society to improve its understanding of Halal culture. She believes that businesses, restaurant operators, and the general public can all further learn about Muslim dietary and cultural needs, making life and travel in Taiwan more convenient for Muslim visitors.
She said Halal dining cannot be simplified as merely “no pork,” “no lard,” or “no alcohol.” It also involves ingredient sources, preparation processes, and religious requirements. If Taiwan continues to raise awareness of Muslim-friendly practices, more people will also learn how to interact, dine, and communicate with Muslim friends.
Travel operator Syafika, speaking about her impression of Taiwan, said that for Muslim travelers, Taiwan is already a fairly convenient and friendly destination. It offers many Muslim-friendly facilities and services, allowing Muslims to feel more at ease in dining, accommodation, and travel arrangements.
She said Taiwan’s beautiful scenery, diverse cuisine, and strong human warmth are highly attractive to Muslim visitors. In particular, Taiwanese people are generally warm and friendly, and are willing to share local culture and distinctive features with foreign travelers, giving Muslim visitors a comfortable and diverse travel experience.
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 tourist attractions, Taiwan also has many distinctive activities that locals take part in. If the Tourism Administration further promotes these experiences, it would help Malaysian travelers get closer to everyday life in Taiwan and enjoy a more local travel experience.
Editor: Tang Sheng-yang
May 19, 2026
▲ Taiwan’s first Muslim-focused tourism promotion event in Kuala Lumpur drew interest from Malaysian Muslim travel operators. Photo by CNA reporter Huang Tzu-chiang in Kuala Lumpur, May 19, 2026.
▲ Pu Cheng-min (second from right), Deputy Representative of TECO in Malaysia, and Cheng Chih-hung (second from left), Director of the Tourism Administration’s International Affairs Division, pose with guests at a Taiwan tourism promotion event in Kuala Lumpur. Photo by CNA reporter Huang Tzu-chiang, May 19, 2026.
👉 Original News Link: CNA