Muslim travel is changing in profound ways. Projections indicate that this market will grow to 245 million arrivals by 2030, with an estimated expenditure of USD 235 billion. This growth is fuelled by a young, digitally native generation whose aspirations we must continue to listen to and understand.

The Mastercard-Crescent Rating’s ‘The Halal Travel trends 2025’ report was officially launched at the PATA Annual Summit 2025 (PAS 2025) during the session “Halal Travel Frontier 2025: What Destinations need to know now,” Fazal Bahardeen, Founder and CEO, CrescentRating presented few trends from the report.

He stated: “We look at the trends from the Muslim traveller’s perspective. Say if a trend is ‘slow travel’ we try and find out how the different destinations can offer ‘slow travel’ for the Muslim travellers. How to attract the Muslim market without taking them as an afterthought.”

The first noticeable trend he talked about was the rise of women travellers. Muslim travellers compared to other travellers move as multi-generational groups.

The Modern Female Traveller

Females play a significant role in travel planning, especially when traveling as families. Recently, there has been a notable rise in female-only group travel and solo female journeys. To cater to this growing trend, destinations globally have increasingly adopted women friendly amenities and services. It is essential for destinations to provide safe, comfortable, and women-friendly environments, ensuring travellers’ peace of mind. Initiatives aimed at this segment also complement efforts towards inclusive travel for Muslim travellers, creating overlapping opportunities to serve diverse traveller needs effectively.

Then of course by popular opinion travelling for sports tourism.

Sports Tourism

The growing trend of people traveling for sports creates a major opportunity. To attract the valuable and expanding Muslim travel market, destinations must adapt. This means ensuring all major sporting events and active lifestyle options are designed to be inclusive, considering the faith-based and family-oriented needs of Muslim tourists.

“Local festivals also remain key trends; people want to go and enjoy those things. Another popular trend that has evolved is ‘slow travel’, he said. There are nuances that you need to investigate to understand how you can cater to specifically for Muslim travellers.

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Solo Travel

Preferences are changing; there is a rise on solo travellers these past years who want freedom, autonomy, and independence during their trip. This trend is particularly prominent among younger generations, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the movement. Highlighting safe neighbourhoods, hospitality with local Muslim families, and women-friendly accommodations helps reassure travelers and supports a sense of empowerment.

He said, “We are also looking at it very closely how can you enable Muslim digital nomads in your destinations.”

Highlighting trends within the dimensions of the RIDA (Responsible, Immersion, Digital, Assurance) framework, the report provides an overview of the evolving travel environment. Responsible tourism emphasizes the conservation of the natural environment and the well-being of local communities, while immersive experiences offer new perspectives and opportunities for travellers to become more engaged.

Regenerative Tourism

Transforms travel by encouraging activities that restore and enhance ecosystems, local communities, and wildlife. This trend goes beyond sustainability, empowering travellers to leave destinations healthier and more vibrant than they found them. By promoting regenerative tourism, destinations can provide purpose-led experiences that resonate with the evolving traveller, positioning themselves as both ethical and faith-conscious tourism leaders

Sustainable Mobility

The shift to sustainable urban mobility has become a necessity due to the need of reducing global CO2 emissions. Cities prioritizing eco-friendly, cost-effective transport are leading the way in combating climate change and achieving environmental goals, paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable urban future. By linking sustainable mobility to core faith traditions, destinations can not only reduce their ecological footprint but also offer Muslim travellers a way to practice their faith during their journey.

Digital Detox Retreat

Provides the space for individuals to temporarily disconnect from electronic devices, enabling rejuvenation, self-reflection, and a re-evaluation of their relationship with technology. Participants engage in a brief but focused disconnection, reducing stress and fully immersing themselves in the physical world. Destinations can attract Muslim travellers by offering unplugged wellness retreats that align with faith values of mindfulness, balance, and spiritual renewal

Through his work, Fazal continues to drive innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in the evolving landscape of Muslim-friendly travel, inspiring industry leaders and travellers alike.

Accessible Tourism

Aims to create inclusive tourism experiences catering to the needs of travellers with disabilities, seniors, and families with young children. The importance of this approach lies in its potential to expand market reach while committing to inclusiveness, quality service, and safety. By combining inclusive design with faith-specific needs, destinations can create a welcoming environment for all.

Humanoid Robotics

Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic due to safety and health concerns, the use of robots and/or humanoids streamlines operations while adding a novel touch. Equipped with artificial intelligence, robotic services can perform a range of tasks, from basic mechanical functions to more complex interactions. Faith-related awareness needs to be integrated into their programs, making them more inclusive and adaptive

Smart Apps for Halal Journeys

Streamlines the process of obtaining information and enhances the journey by offering various services. The integration of technology makes travel planning less of a hassle, makes practicing faith easier on the go, and opens opportunities for new experiences, such as VR for travel. Apps offer not only efficient information retrieval, but also shift the way Muslim tourists engage with their journeys