World’s most Muslim-friendly travel destinations revealed

Mastercard and CrescentRating have revealed the 11th edition of the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), ranking the world’s most Muslim-friendly travel destinations, with all six GCC countries featuring in the top 10.

 

The GMTI assessed 150 destinations accounting for more than 98% of international Muslim visitor arrivals. Countries were evaluated using the Access, Communications, Environment and Services (ACES) framework, which measures connectivity, visa requirements, safety, halal dining, prayer facilities and other Muslim-friendly services.

 

Malaysia secured the top spot, while Indonesia, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia tied for second. Qatar and the UAE ranked fifth and sixth respectively. Bahrain, Iran and Kuwait shared seventh place, with Oman completing the top 10.

 

Bahrain recorded the biggest improvement, climbing from 12th in 2025 to seventh in 2026, while the UAE slipped from second to sixth. The Philippines, Thailand, Japan and South Korea were also among the destinations showing the strongest momentum.

 

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Worldwide, Asia remained the leading region in the GMTI, followed by Africa with Morocco as its top-scoring country, Australia in Oceania, the UK in Europe and Canada in the Americas.

 

One factor behind the GCC’s strong performance is its proximity to key source markets across the Middle East and Asia, supporting demand for shorter regional trips. The report identified a shift towards ‘home-continent’ travel, with more Muslim travellers choosing destinations that are easier to reach instead of long-haul journeys involving multiple connections.

 

Among other shifting traveller behaviours, the GMTI also reported a rise in AI usage, with 80% of travellers utilising digital tools for travel planning catered towards Muslim-friendly amenities and services.

 

The report forecasts international Muslim arrivals will reach 208 million in 2026, up from 196 million in 2025. By 2030, arrivals are expected to reach 262 million, with annual spending projected at US$310 billion.

 

For more information, visit crescentrating.com