Fazal Bahardeen, founder and CEO of CrescentRating, discusses the growing global influence of Muslim tourism and the company’s pioneering work in halal-friendly travel. Over the past 17 years, Fazal has witnessed a significant shift in perceptions and awareness around the needs of Muslim travelers. Initially, he faced challenges convincing the industry to cater to this market. Still, destinations worldwide recognize the importance of diversifying their visitor arrivals, leading to increased demand for Crescent Rating’s research and consulting services on the Muslim travel segment.

The discussion explores the growth and evolution of the Muslim travel market, which has become a strategic focus for destinations worldwide. Over the past decade, Muslim international arrivals have grown significantly, from 100 million in 2010 to an estimated 230 million by 2028. Destinations are now taking steps to cater to Muslim travelers’ diverse preferences and needs, from providing halal food and prayer facilities to understanding the changing behaviors of younger Muslim travelers. This market is proving influential, prompting destinations to adapt their offerings to better serve this lucrative and growing segment of the global tourism industry.

The speakers discuss the growing Muslim travel market and how non-Muslim destinations can effectively attract and cater to Muslim travelers. They highlight key trends, such as the rise in multi-generational family travel and female Muslim travelers’ increasing independence and spending power. The speakers emphasize that while basic amenities like halal food and prayer facilities are essential, Muslim travelers are primarily seeking authentic tourism experiences, just like any other travelers. By understanding these nuances and catering to the unique needs of this diverse market, non-Muslim destinations can better position themselves to welcome and engage Muslim travelers.

The speakers discuss the growing Muslim female travel market, noting that Muslim women increasingly travel in groups and even solo, especially to destinations like Japan and Korea. They highlight that young Muslim women, particularly Gen Z females, are now the decision-makers for family travel, shaping where their families vacation. The speakers also explore how different destinations, such as Hong Kong and Spain, adapt to the Muslim travel market, with Hong Kong rapidly increasing its halal-friendly offerings and Spain leveraging its Andalusian heritage to appeal to Muslim travelers.
The speakers discuss the growing interest of Western European countries in attracting Muslim travelers, particularly to destinations like Andalusia and Spain. They highlight the importance of addressing the negative perception of Muslims in the media and promoting a welcoming message through initiatives like Muslim visitor guides. The speakers also discuss Saudi Arabia’s efforts to expand tourism beyond religious pilgrimage by encouraging “Umrah Plus” travel combining spiritual and leisure activities. The speakers discuss the challenges and opportunities in promoting Umrah packages beyond just the religious aspects in Saudi Arabia. They suggest that Umrah Plus offerings still need to connect to the faith and spiritual heritage outside Mecca and Medina rather than focus solely on leisure activities. The speakers also touch on the upcoming Aladdin Travel Global Summit and the 10th edition of the Global Muslim Travel Index, as well as the expansion of the Halal Trip Gastronomy Awards to new cities.