Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index reveals trends shaping the future of Halal travel
Dubai, UAE – As awareness of Muslim travelers' needs grows, Halal travel is increasingly shaping how destinations design and deliver experiences. According to the newly released 2025 Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), international Muslim arrivals reached 176 million in 2024 – up 25% from 2023 – and are projected to grow to 245 million by 2030. By then, total travel spending is expected to reach USD$230 billion, highlighting the growing influence and economic potential of this vibrant market.
To stay competitive, travel and tourism stakeholders must adapt to the evolving needs of Muslim travelers, prioritizing purpose, inclusivity, and digital innovation. The 10th edition of the GMTI identifies the key trends and destination leaders shaping the future of Halal-friendly travel.
Key Consumer Trends Impacting Halal Travel
GMTI 2025 highlights five important trends shaping Muslim travel preferences today:
Smart Apps for Halal Journeys: Muslim travelers are embracing digital tools that offer seamless access to faith-aligned services and personalized experiences.
The Modern Female Muslim Traveler: Women are shaping the Halal travel sector in powerful ways, driving demand for safer, inclusive, and thoughtfully designed spaces.
Muslim-friendly facilities: Destinations that offer alcohol-free environments, Halal-certified dining, prayer facilities, and gender-segregated pools and spas are becoming essential.
Solo Travel Surge: Younger Muslim travelers are embracing solo adventures, favoring autonomy and personalized itineraries.
Digital Detox Retreats: Inspired by Islamic values of mindfulness and balance, many travelers are seeking tech-free escapes rooted in nature and spirituality.
Destinations Leading the Way in Muslim-Friendly Travel
The GMTI 2025 highlights leading destinations around the world that are setting benchmarks in Muslim-friendly travel.
Among OIC destinations, Malaysia retains the top spot, recognized for its accessible Halal-friendly services and infrastructure. Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) share the second spot, each offering a strong combination of cultural heritage, modern amenities, and dedicated efforts to enhance the Muslim travel experience. Indonesia also ranks highly, supported by its rich cultural appeal. Other notable destinations in the Gulf region include Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait, all of which continue to strengthen their offerings for Muslim travelers.
Among non-OIC destinations, Singapore remains the leader – recognized for its emphasis on inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. Thailand and the Philippines are steadily emerging as rising Muslim-friendly destinations in Southeast Asia. Thailand offers warm hospitality and a growing range of Halal-certified services, while the Philippines is enhancing its capacity to serve Muslim travelers through better Halal food access and Muslim-friendly features at key tourist sites.
In addition, Hong Kong has emerged as standout non-OIC destination, ranking third in the GMTI 2025. The city has invested significantly in Muslim-friendly infrastructure, with 61 hotels accredited by CrescentRating and 153 restaurants Halal-certified by the Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong. Hong Kong also received the Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year award, part of the Global Muslim Travel Index Awards.
Taiwan has also continuously positioned itself as a Muslim-friendly destination, offering a welcoming environment that respects cultural and religious diversity. Over 230 restaurants and hotels have been Halal-certified by the Chinese Muslim Association, many of which include separate kitchens to meet dietary requirements.
With the global Muslim travel market entering a dynamic new growth phase, GMTI 2025 serves as a timely guide for stakeholders looking to tap into this fast-evolving landscape.
Download the full GMTI 2025 report here: https://www.crescentrating.com/halal-muslim-travel-market-reports.html
About CrescentRating
CrescentRating is the leading authority on Halal travel and tourism. The company uses insights, industry intelligence, lifestyle, behavior and research on the needs of the Muslim traveler to deliver authoritative guidance on all aspects of Halal travel to organizations across the globe. Founded in 2008, CrescentRating services are used by every tier of the tourism industry, from government bodies and tourism agencies to hospitality service providers, to better serve the needs of the Muslim traveler.
CrescentRating's products and services include rating & accreditation, research & consultancy, training, & certification (CR Academy), industry reports, Halal-In-Travel conferences, HalalChefWorld program, destination marketing and content provisioning. HalalTrip is a sister brand of CrescentRating.
Website: https://www.crescentrating.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cresentrating
Twitter: https://twitter.com/crescentrating
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crescentrating/
About Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
Appendix – 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index Rankings and Awards
GMTI 2025 Rank
Top 10 Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Destinations
GMTI 2025
Rank
Top 10 Non-OIC Destinations
1
Malaysia
1
Singapore
2
Türkiye
2
United Kingdom
2
Saudi Arabia
3
Hong Kong*
2
United Arab Emirates
4
Taiwan
5
Indonesia
5
Thailand
5
Qatar
6
Ireland
7
Oman
6
Australia
7
Kuwait
8
Philippines
9
Jordan
9
Spain
9
Iran
9
Germany
*Hong Kong received the Most Promising Muslim Friendly Destination of the Year, having improved their GMTI score by 10 points – the biggest jump among non-OIC destinations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
27 minutes ago
- Zawya
ADPIC signs strategic partnerships with nine leading academic institutions at Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit
Abu Dhabi – The Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) today announced the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with nine prestigious academic and professional institutions. These significant partnerships, unveiled during the inaugural Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS), underscore ADPIC's commitment to fostering innovation, developing local talent, and enhancing knowledge exchange within Abu Dhabi's rapidly evolving infrastructure sector. The agreements were signed with United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), American University of Sharjah (AUS), Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi,, Abu Dhabi University (ADU), Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the Project Management Institute UAE Chapter, and the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB). These strategic partnerships, a highlight of ADIS's focus on future-ready infrastructure, will concentrate on collaborative research, student development, curriculum enhancement, and knowledge exchange to address real-world challenges in infrastructure development and capital project management. His Excellency Maysarah Mahmoud Eid, Director General of ADPIC, said,"These partnerships represent a pivotal investment in Abu Dhabi's future infrastructure ecosystem. By embedding capital projects expertise within academic curricula and creating robust research collaborations, we're building a sustainable talent pipeline specifically aligned with market needs. Our vision is to transform how students learn about infrastructure development—moving from theoretical case studies to hands-on engagement with Abu Dhabi's real-world projects. This approach will not only enhance educational outcomes but also accelerate innovation in critical areas such as sustainability, modular construction, and AI applications in infrastructure management." The collaborations will focus on several key areas: Research & Development Collaboration The partnerships will establish joint research initiatives focused on Abu Dhabi-specific challenges and opportunities in infrastructure development. Research themes include sustainable materials, green construction, climate resilience, AI applications in project management, modular housing solutions, and waste reduction strategies aligned with the UAE Net Zero 2050 Policy. Talent Development & Acquisition ADPIC will work with academic partners to create summer programmes, internships, and field projects for students. The partnerships will establish formal talent pipelines, with universities providing CVs of top-performing graduates to ADPIC annually. This approach aims to ensure graduates possess the skills and knowledge required by the infrastructure sector. Curriculum Integration A key focus of the partnerships will be embedding capital projects management into engineering and business curricula. Students will gain practical knowledge about the unique attributes of infrastructure projects, government tendering processes, risk management, and approval procedures, preparing them for careers in the sector. Knowledge Exchange The agreements facilitate two-way knowledge transfer, with ADPIC experts serving as guest lecturers at partner institutions and university faculty providing specialised lectures to ADPIC staff. This exchange will enrich both academic programmes and professional practice. The MoUs also outline plans for innovation challenges, hackathons, and student competitions addressing specific challenges in the infrastructure and capital projects sector. These activities will foster creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking among students. These collaborations align with ADPIC's broader mission to enhance Abu Dhabi's infrastructure ecosystem through strategic partnerships, innovation, and capacity building. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, ADPIC aims to create a knowledge-rich environment that supports Abu Dhabi's long-term development goals. About Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre Established in 2023, ADPIC's vision is to oversee and manage capital projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for every resident in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This involves diverse projects such as housing, infrastructure, tourism, community facilities, and education. ADPIC's mandate includes managing contracts, reviewing, approving, planning, and designing capital projects. These are overseen by the Centre in close collaboration with relevant entities and stakeholders to ensure quality is maintained while also facilitating efficient project execution in alignment with Abu Dhabi's strategic goals. Throughout its operations, the Centre is committed to strengthening public-private partnerships and adopting global best practices in sustainability.
Khaleej Times
43 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai's luxury home market sees Dh10m-plus sales multiply 10-fold
Dubai's luxury real estate market is witnessing an extraordinary boom, with sales of homes priced over Dh10 million rising 10-fold in just four years. This surge highlights the emirate's growing appeal to global high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), backed by investor confidence, world-class developments, and lifestyle-focused planning. According to Savills Middle East's latest 'Dubai Prime Residential 2025' report, the number of Dh10 million-plus transactions surged from just 469 in 2020 to 4,670 in 2024. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, more than 1,300 properties at this price point changed hands — representing a 31 per cent year-on-year increase. Luxury property experts attribute this trend to a mix of attractive factors including Dubai's reputation as a safe and stable investment hub, its residency-linked property incentives, and growing demand for privacy, larger living spaces, and exclusive lifestyle offerings. 'Dubai's prime residential market continues to attract high-net-worth individuals seeking space, privacy and superior lifestyle quality,' said Andrew Cummings, head of Residential Agency at Savills Middle East. 'This is particularly evident in the consistent demand for luxury villas and branded residences.' V. Sivaprasad, chairman of Condor Developers, said wealth migration remains a strong tailwind for Dubai's luxury home segment. 'Dubai continues to be a top relocation choice for HNWIs from Europe, Asia, and the wider Middle East, drawn by its tax-free environment, global connectivity, and evolving cultural landscape. The UAE's Golden Visa programme and strategic focus on lifestyle-centric urban planning are further reinforcing long-term interest in premium property,' said Sivaprasad. 'As the city builds on its fourth consecutive year of luxury market expansion, Dubai is poised not only to maintain but to elevate its status as one of the world's top-tier real estate investment destinations,' added Sivaprasad. The shift in buying patterns is also reshaping the market. Off-plan transactions — once seen as more speculative — have become mainstream in the luxury bracket. Off-plan sales now account for 69 per cent of all Dh10 million-plus deals, compared to just 14 per cent in 2020. This signals strong trust in the city's future inventory and confidence in developers' ability to deliver on time. New villa communities such as Palm Jebel Ali, District One West, and The Acres are among the most transacted prime locations, while premium apartments in Dubai Harbour, Palm Jumeirah, and Downtown Dubai continue to see strong buyer interest. Jumeirah Islands, a formerly quiet residential enclave, has become one of the most talked-about villa markets in the city. In 2024, 89 homes in Jumeirah Islands sold for more than Dh10 million — a sharp rise from virtually no such transactions before 2021. Many of these deals involved properties that underwent high-end renovations, suggesting that investors are willing to pay a premium for upgraded inventory in established communities. Data from the Dubai Land Department (DLD) supports these trends. In 2024, the emirate recorded over Dh450 billion worth of real estate transactions across all segments. But it is the luxury tier that is registering the highest velocity and value. Villas now dominate the Dh10 million-plus space, accounting for 70 per cent of such transactions in 2024. Even as villas command dominance, apartments in prime waterfront locations such as the Palm and Dubai Harbour are pushing pricing benchmarks higher. These units average Dh5,400 per square foot, a reflection of both limited supply and international appeal. Developers are catering to this premium demand by launching branded residences — luxury homes affiliated with global hospitality or fashion brands — which continue to outperform in terms of speed of sale and pricing. According to Savills, Dubai has emerged as the most active market globally for branded residences. The city is expected to deliver 40 per cent of all such developments across the Middle East and Africa by 2031. These projects typically offer curated amenities, security, and brand prestige, making them highly attractive to discerning international buyers. Supporting this trend are new large-scale masterplans announced across the city. Projects such as the redevelopment of Jebel Ali Racecourse and the second phase of Jumeirah Golf Estates, along with Emaar's Grand Polo Club and Resort, are expected to bring fresh luxury inventory into the market over the next few years. Analysts expect this momentum to continue. Savills projects an 8 to 10 per cent increase in prime residential prices through 2025, driven by sustained demand, lifestyle evolution, and Dubai's emergence as a global second-home destination. 'The next wave of development is aligning with the global luxury buyer's aspirations — bespoke living, branded experiences, and community-driven exclusivity,' said Cummings. 'Dubai's ability to deliver all these within an investment-friendly ecosystem makes its prime real estate market one of the most exciting in the world today.'
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Saudi Travel Platform almatar Reports 30% surge in risk mitigation services amid regional airspace disruption
Riyadh – Amid a major regional crisis that led to the sudden closure of airspace across more than 20 airports and the cancellation of over 400 flights within just 72 hours, almatar—Saudi Arabia's leading travel platform—demonstrated exceptional responsiveness, reinforcing its position as a trusted provider of intelligent travel platform. 'In just three days, we witnessed a 30% surge in demand for our Golden Guarantee and Free Delay services,' said Faisal Alrajhi, CEO of almatar. 'This reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering real value and prioritizing the needs of our customers. Our mission goes beyond bookings—we aim to provide a seamless travel experience. This achievement is the result of years of investment in real-time, customer-centric support.' Golden Guarantee allowed customers to cancel their bookings for any reason and receive 100% refund instantly. Meanwhile, Free Delay provided direct financial compensation to help cover unexpected costs caused by flight delays—offering meaningful support during uncertain travel situations. These developments align with international reports, including coverage from AP News, which highlighted the widespread impact of escalating geopolitical tensions on regional air traffic and passenger mobility. almatar's strong performance is the result of sustained investment in its technology infrastructure and customer experience capabilities, ensuring travelers receive timely, flexible support when it is needed most. In an official statement, the company noted: 'We are not just a booking platform—we are a travel partner committed to delivering peace of mind. almatar strives to remain the preferred choice for Arab travelers, especially during uncertain times.' This performance reflects a wider move toward digital innovation in the regional travel industry and shows the increasing need for smart, customer-focused solutions in today's challenging global landscape.
