Twenty-eight percent of trips taken by Muslim women last year were taken solo, indicative of a growing younger demographic willing to experience the world alone, according to a new report released by Mastercard and CrescentRating.
An estimated 63 million Muslim women travellers spent over US$80 billion on their journeys last year. This number is expected to grow.
“Despite the increasingly ubiquitous Muslim women travel market, to date little research has been done to better understand this fast-emerging segment and their specific challenges. This study provides the industry with a clear lens to understand their intrinsic and extrinsic travel motivations. This includes their unique travel behaviour driven by triple 'E's – explore, energise and empathise.
"Together with interviews with multiple Muslim women travellers of diverse backgrounds and profiles, we trust the report will enable industry stakeholders to better cater to this segment,” said Raudha Zaini, Head of Marketing of CrescentRating & HalalTrip.
Two-thirds of Muslim women travellers are 40 years of age or younger, and over half of them use
some form of social media to scope out accommodation, logistics and
dining. Most of the segment set off on trips two to three times per year.
Leisure takes precedence (90%), followed by religious travel (21%) and business (11%). The study confirms that they exert considerable influence in trip planning regardless of who they travel with. That said, seven in 10 (71%) travel with their families, and therefore prefer family-friendly destinations.
Female travellers constitute one the fastest-growing segments within the global travel market and their main needs, such as safety and security, are mirrored within the Muslim women demographic. However, Muslim women travellers also look to integrate religious amenities into their trips with 94% of survey respondents reporting halal dining as a travel priority.
Accessible religious facilities with female-only prayer rooms (86%) and single-gender spas and beauty salons (79%) also factor highly into their itineraries. Social justice, an important part of their faith, also influences their journeys, with 73% seeking ecofriendly travel options abroad.
“Muslim women travellers are ready to see the world. This young and driven demographic is ready to engage travel industry providers who welcome them and curate experiences that keep their values and community in the forefront. Mastercard and CrescentRating’s newest report aims to inform industry stakeholders as they tailor their products and services to this up-and-coming demographic,” said Aisha Islam, VP, Market Product Management, Mastercard.
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Download the report