The Islamic travel market is expected to comprise close to 30% of the global tourism market by 2018, fuelled by an increased interest in travel, says research firm TechNavio in a November 2014 report, Global Islamic Travel Market 2014-2018.
The company forecasts that the global Islamic travel market will grow at a CAGR of 4.89% over the period 2013 to 2018, driven by an increase in outbound tourists from Arabic nations and a growing Muslim population. Globally, it is estimated that the Islamic population will grow at twice the rate of the overall population.
China and Japan are two countries are the favourite destinations for Islamic travel, and these countries have evolved their tourism offerings to attract even more Islamic travellers, TechNavio said. Providing food and other requirements to halal standards is a challenge however.
China and Japan are two countries are the favourite destinations for Islamic travel, and these countries have evolved their tourism offerings to attract even more Islamic travellers, TechNavio said. Providing food and other requirements to halal standards is a challenge however.
Key vendors mentioned by the report are CrescentRating, signed an agreement with MasterCard in October to co-develop the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), at the 10th World Islamic Economic Forum; Halalbooking in Europe, and Dubai-based startup Irhal. Other vendors mentioned include Al Jawhara Gardens Hotel, which its website states is the first Islamic hotel in Dubai; the shari'ah compliant De Palma Hotels in Malaysia; Emirates, Fairmont, Marriott International, Singapore Airlines, Tamani Hotels, Thai Airways, and Turkish Airlines.