The Mastercard-Crescentrating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2024 provides vital insights into the resilient and rapidly growing Muslim travel market. This 9th edition introduces the RIDA framework to enhance travel experiences and highlights the impressive recovery of Muslim international visitors, expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2024. The report delves into Muslim demographics and offers monthly updates via the HalalTrip Muslim Travel Intent Tracker (MTIT). Partnered with Mastercard, GMTI 2024 is an indispensable resource for travel industry stakeholders, offering strategies to capitalize on Halal tourism opportunities and promote a more inclusive travel environment.

Explore the highly anticipated 8th edition of the Mastercard-Crescentrating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2023 report, offering invaluable insights into the resilient and fast-growing Muslim travel market. This year's enhanced report introduces the Muslim Travel Intent Tracker (MTIT) to gauge evolving travel preferences. Additionally, the Muslim Traveler Responsible Tourism Framework promotes sustainable practices aligned with a faith, bolstering cultural preservation and local economies.

As we look forward to a new beginning in the travel & tourism sector, GMTI 2022 continues to rank 138 destinations on how prepared they are to leverage the Muslim travel market to accelerate recovery. In addition, this year’s report also looks at some of the key drivers that will propel the Halal travel market forward in its next development phase.

In the latest edition of the annual GMTI series, the GMTI2021 report looks at how the pandemic has inflicted a heavy toll on the travel industry. The pandemic has had a colossal impact on the travel sector. Muslim arrivals dropped to 42 million in 2020 from an all-time high of an estimated 160 million in 2019. As we start this recovery journey, we project that the Muslim travel market will return to the 2019 levels by 2023.

The latest edition of the annual GMTI series, GMTI2019 report introduces Halal Travel Development Goals, an updated Faith-Based Service Needs model and a refined ACES measurement. The Muslim travel market is continuing to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. In 2018, there were an estimated 140 Muslim visitors worldwide - up from 131 million in 2017.

The latest release of the annual report, GMTI 2018 features an updated index criteria as well as the new ‘CrescentRating Growth & Innovation Model’ to help destinations better target the growing Halal travel market. A collaboration between MasterCard and CrescentRating, GMTI 2018 is the most comprehensive research on the Halal/Muslim travel, tourism and hospitality market.

Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2017 covers a total of 130 destinations, providing comprehensive research and insights on the Muslim travel market. The Index is an invaluable tool for stakeholders in the travel and hospitality sector to help understand how Muslim travel is influencing the overall travel market. The Index provides travelers, tourism boards, economists, travel services providers, stakeholders, investors and industry specialists comprehensive benchmarks across a number of important criteria to track the health and the growth of the travel segment. These insights also let destinations benchmark the services that they offer in order to better cater to the requirements of Muslim travelers.

The GMTI 2016 looks at in-depth data covering 130 destinations. Two new criteria – air connectivity and visa restrictions – have been added to further enhance the Index. It will continue to be an invaluable tool in understanding how Muslim travel is influencing the overall travel market. The GMTI provides every stakeholder in the travel and hospitality sector, including travelers, tourism boards, economists, travel services providers, stakeholders, investors and industry specialists with comprehensive benchmarks across a number of important criteria to track the health and the growth of this travel segment.

The GMTI 2015 studies an enhanced set of metrics and deeper data compared with the rankings and reports released over the last four years by CrescentRating. It will help destinations and those responsible for tourism to better benchmark the services they offer and use the detailed analysis in the report to improve processes and how they attract the Muslim traveler. In addition, travelers will have the information to make educated choices when planning trips. The GMTI 2015 looks at nine criteria in three areas that contribute to the overall index score for each destination. Each of the criteria is elaborated upon further into this report.

What is GMTI?

The Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) is an annual report benchmarking destinations in the Muslim travel market. Developed through a collaboration between Mastercard and CrescentRating, it analyzes 100+ destinations worldwide, assessing their readiness to cater to halal and Muslim-friendly travelers. With a comprehensive approach, GMTI offers valuable insights into the resilient and fast-growing Muslim travel sector. GMTI's significance lies in shaping the future of halal and Muslim-friendly travel and tourism, aiding destinations, and businesses to target the lucrative Muslim travel market effectively.

As the most extensive research project in the halal and Muslim travel sector, GMTI sheds light on the evolving preferences and needs of Muslim travelers, offering valuable insights to destinations and businesses seeking to tap into this rapidly growing market. The index's importance lies in its ability to help stakeholders understand the diverse requirements of Muslim travelers and tailor their offerings accordingly. From halal food availability and prayer facilities to cultural preservation and responsible tourism practices, GMTI encompasses a wide range of criteria to assess destinations' readiness to welcome Muslim visitors.

Destination's Performance Over Time

The Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) is committed to expanding its coverage and keeping up with the evolving landscape of Muslim-friendly travel worldwide. Over the years, the GMTI has been inclusive in its approach, continually adding new destinations to maintain a comprehensive view of travel options. This dynamic approach ensures that the index provides valuable information for travelers, destinations, and stakeholders alike. By covering a wide range of destinations, the GMTI serves as an essential resource in meeting the needs of Muslim travelers and promoting inclusivity within the travel industry.