What Destinations Get Wrong (and Right) About the Muslim Travel Market

Destinations investing early and comprehensively in halal-friendly travel are likely to gain long-term competitive advantage as this sector continues to grow.

The global Muslim travel market is expected to reach $235 billion by 2030, up from $189 billion in 2024, according to the 2025 Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), released last month.

The Muslim, or halal, travel sector caters to the specific needs of Muslim travelers, including halal-certified food, access to prayer spaces, and accommodations that align with Islamic values. The Muslim travel index, a widely cited benchmark, tracks this segment and ranks 145 destinations worldwide using a four-point framework: Access, Communication, Environment, and Services.

The report attributes the sector’s projected growth to three key trends: a rising global Muslim population, from 2.12 billion in 2024 to a projected 2.47 billion by 2034, increasing disposable income, and better access to travel infrastructure. In 2024, international arrivals of Muslim travelers were 10% higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Southeast Asia continues to outperform other regions in attracting Muslim travelers. Malaysia once again ranked first among Muslim-majority destinations. Singapore leads all non-Muslim-majority countries, thanks to its extensiv