Qatar retains fifth place in the ranking and the second spot in the Access category
Kuwait holds steady seventh position, topping the Environment category
Oman placed 10th overall and third among the most accessible destinations
International Muslim arrivals are projected to increase to 208 million this year and reach 262 million by 2030
Kuwait : Mastercard and CrescentRating released the 11th edition of the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), revealing how AI, digital trust, regional mobility and destination readiness are reshaping the next phase of Muslim-friendly travel. The report projects international Muslim arrivals to increase to 208 million this year, compared to 196 million in 2025, and reach 262 million by 2030, commanding an estimated annual expenditure of $310 billion.
GMTI 2026 evaluates 150 destinations, representing more than 98% of global Muslim visitor arrivals, across the Access, Communications, Environment and Services (ACES) framework. The latest edition introduces a stronger focus on AI readiness, digital visibility, smart destination infrastructure, traveler confidence and resilience planning amid a more volatile global environment.
Qatar, Kuwait and Oman remain central to Muslim travel growth
Qatar has retained a resilient fifth place in the index with a score of 76, reflecting its success in blending faith-based cultural needs with massive international events. As the host of the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix and former host of the FIFA World Cup 2022, the country has proven that it can welcome the world while staying rooted in Islamic values. With its modern cultural sites, traditional markets and stunning architecture, the capital city, Doha, is positioned as a leading destination for Muslim travelers. The highlight of Qatar is its ability to offer a luxury yet completely halal holiday, as almost all high-end resorts and hotels in the country are Muslim-friendly, offering halal dining and prayer facilities.
In addition, the country holds the second rank among the most accessible destinations for Muslims due to its high-quality transport infrastructure and extensive air networks. More simplified digital visa process as well as expanded transit capacity also contribute to its position as a premier accessible hub.
Kuwait’s sustained efforts to preserve a strong Muslim-friendly travel ecosystem have translated into a steady seventh position with a score of 74. The country ranked highly among destinations that provide a safe, sustainable and accessible environment where Muslim travelers can explore with confidence and peace of mind.
Oman remains a strong performer as well with 10th place and a score of 73, highlighting its established position in the Muslim travel market. In addition, the country maintains its third rank among the most accessible destinations, supported by a robust land transport sector that provides strong cross-border connectivity within the GCC as well as continuous infrastructure upgrades and more welcoming entry requirements.
All three nations recorded a perfect score of 100 in the availability of prayer places and airport services for Muslims while placing among the top five travel destinations for Muslim women.
Muslim travel enters the era of digital trust
GMTI 2026 indicates that 80% of travelers worldwide now use AI tools for travel purposes, signaling a major shift in how they discover, evaluate and plan their journeys. Travel planning is entering a new era where digital tools are moving beyond convenience to become part of the trust infrastructure for travelers. AI-powered platforms can now help travelers find halal dining options, locate prayer spaces, compare transport routes, receive personalized recommendations and navigate destinations with greater confidence.
This shift is especially important for Muslim travelers, who may need to validate multiple faith-based requirements before and during a trip. GMTI 2026 notes that destinations which fail to digitize their Muslim-friendly offerings risk being excluded from AI-driven recommendation systems, regardless of the quality of their physical infrastructure.
In this new environment, the competitive landscape is moving from service availability to algorithmic visibility. Destinations that make trusted information machine-readable, up to date and contextually available will be better-placed to convert travel intent into visits.
The report points to the rise of digitally enabled destinations, with technologies such as e-visas, biometric border systems, AI chatbots, digital travel assistants, real-time translation and smart destination management helping improve ease of travel and reduce uncertainty across the journey.
In this context, Qatar Airways has harnessed the power of AI to launch the world’s first live digital concierge, Sama 2.0. In addition to acting as an AI agent tailored for seamless journeys, Sama has her own dedicated Instagram account, @SamaOnTheMove, using technological advancement for marketing purposes. Sama 2.0 elevates AI from a service tool to a brand interface. By extending the AI concierge into social media, Qatar Airways blurs the line between customer support and engagement, creating a continuous relationship with travelers across functional and inspirational touchpoints.
Communication is key
Despite the widespread adoption of real-time AI translation and digital tools, direct access to human support and native-language resources remains essential, particularly for Arabic and English – the two primary languages used across this demographic.
Qatar is among the pioneers in this space, delivering exceptional multilingual experiences through trained frontline staff, dedicated tourism portals, intuitive transit signage and comprehensive travel guides. Ultimately, these communication efforts ensure that visitors can seamlessly navigate services and seek help while feeling genuinely respected and culturally included.
Global volatility drives demand for safer, closer journeys
Amid global volatility, Muslim travel demand remains resilient, but traveler behavior is changing. Rising fuel costs, geopolitical tensions, airspace disruptions and security concerns are prompting more travelers to favor closer, safer and more predictable destinations.
GMTI 2026 identifies this as a shift toward ‘home-continent’ mobility, where travelers adjust itineraries rather than cancel plans entirely. Instead of relying on long-haul routes through complex transit hubs, many are choosing regional corridors that offer greater stability, lower friction and stronger confidence.
From destination readiness to destination activation
Over the years, GMTI has tracked the rise of the global Muslim travel market from a resilient niche segment into a mainstream economic powerhouse. This year’s edition introduces Destination Activation Stack, a strategic model that integrates three frameworks: ACES, which measures foundational destination preparedness; RIDA, which assesses responsible, immersive, digital and assured travel experiences; and TRUST, which evaluates the signals that convert traveler interest into bookings.
Together, these frameworks reflect how Muslim-friendly tourism is evolving. Destinations are no longer assessed only by whether they provide baseline services, such as halal food and prayer spaces. They must also show that these services are accessible, visible, reliable, digitally discoverable and aligned with traveler expectations around safety, sustainability, inclusivity and experience quality.
