The Muslim tourism market is projected to reach 245 million visitors by 2573, with women controlling nearly half of the purchasing power.

A joint Mastercard-Crescent Ratings report indicates a global trend towards short-haul travel, with ASEAN emerging as a hub. The report reveals that Muslim women are driving market growth, with "safety and digital capabilities" being key factors in destination selection. The future value and direction of the industry are driven by increasingly complex and specific consumer behavior.

22 May 2569 – Two recent in-depth reports: “Halal Travel Trends 2026” and “Muslim Women in Travel 2026”. This was prepared in collaboration between... Mastercard (Mastercard) Crescent Rating Revealing interesting economic figures for the global Muslim tourism market.

By stating that The number of international Muslim tourists is projected to continue growing, from an initial forecast of 186 million in 2568 to as high as 245 million by 2573. This statistic indicates that the Muslim consumer group is becoming a key driving force in the global tourism industry.

From the business perspective. Aisha Islam, Senior Vice President, Customer Solutions Center, Southeast Asia, Mastercard. This change has been analyzed as follows: "Muslim tourism is entering a more complex phase, where trust, openness, and travel objectives are becoming just as important as accessibility and convenience." This reflects the fact that entrepreneurs can no longer use traditional strategies.

"Muslim women" are a megatrend driving investment.

A key focus in terms of demographic structure is purchasing power. "Muslim female tourists" This group has grown significantly, with the report indicating that by 2568, the number of Muslim tourists will reach 90 million, representing almost half, or 48%, of all Muslim tourists worldwide. This is a significant increase compared to 2562, when the number was 63 million (or 45%).

Muslim women have therefore become an economically influential group and play a significant role in deciding on the destination, style, and purpose of travel, whether it's family travel, solo travel, business travel, or women's group travel.

Asia-ASEAN: The economic hub for halal tourism.

Geographically, research indicates that Asia continues to hold the central position in the Muslim tourism landscape. In 2564, the region attracted nearly 120 million Muslim tourists, representing 65% of the global total of 176 million. Key economic contributing factors include easy air connectivity, cultural diversity, and robust halal infrastructure.

Amidst the volatile global economy, consumer behavior has shifted towards prioritizing "short-distance destinations," resulting in significant growth in intra-ASEAN travel. Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei rank among the most popular countries for Muslim female tourists. Furthermore, Southeast Asia serves as a source market, generating 5.8 million Muslim female tourists for the industry, thanks to its readily available halal ecosystem and comprehensive investment in the service sector.

Digital and security are key.

Statistical data indicates that current service standards need to be upgraded beyond simply providing halal food or prayer facilities. The needs of Muslim female travelers are clearly stated as:

• 60% of respondents prioritize safety and peace of mind at their destination above all else.
• 30% of respondents considered Muslim cultural friendliness (access to food and religious facilities without discrimination) as a factor.
• 68% of respondents admitted that social media directly influences their travel decisions, with Instagram being the primary platform, followed by YouTube and TikTok.

Furthermore, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital payment systems play a role as tools to assist in planning, searching for restaurant information, checking safety, and reducing travel obstacles, ultimately transforming consumer interest into actual booking and spending decisions in the economy.

RIDA, a new competitiveness index.

Businesses and tourism agencies need to adapt their operations according to the RIDA framework to build long-term competitiveness and transform existing infrastructure into economic value.

โดย Rawa Zaini, Director of Operations at Crescent Rating. They provided their perspective on this issue as follows: “For various destinations, the key opportunity lies in upgrading from having readily available services to building confidence in travelers. Destinations that can clearly communicate this readiness and provide a consistent experience throughout the journey will have a greater chance of building loyalty and long-term relationships with travelers.”

The RIDA framework consists of:

• Responsible: Focusing on community-driven tourism, environmental conservation, and renewable tourism models.
• Immersive: Delivering profound cultural, heritage, and lifestyle experiences as an alternative to typical tourism.
• Digital (Digital Technology): Integrating AI systems and secure payment innovations for convenience.
• Assured: Guaranteed Halal service standards, verified safety, and consistent infrastructure.

Based on an analysis of all trends, the report concludes that the core of the industry's future will be the need to develop integrated tourism, combining socially responsible practices, authentic experiences, and digital technologies to build consumer loyalty and sustainable long-term economic growth.

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