Global Muslim Travel Index
The Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) is a travel index that ranks countries based on their performance in the Muslim travel market.[1][2] The index is published by CrescentRating in collaboration with MasterCard.[3]
History
The Global Muslim Travel Index was started by Fazal Bahardeen in 2011 and is published annually by CrescentRating.[3][4]
In 2017, GMTI covering 130 countries was published with Malaysia as the highest-ranked country in Muslim travel.[5]
In the 2018 report, GMTI estimated that there were around 140 million Muslim travelers worldwide.[6]
In 2019 GMTI rankings, Indonesia and Malaysia were ranked as the most Muslim travel-friendly countries.[7][8]
In 2021, the ranking was expanded to 140 destinations.[9] The index ranked Malaysia as the top-ranked in the halal travel industry and noted changes in preferences of travelers such as the rise of contactless travel.[9]
In 2022, GMTI rankings were published again with Malaysia as the top-ranked country.[10]
Methodology
The overall index is calculated based on a number of factors including the air connectivity, airport facilities, communication, the number of visitors, halal food options, travel environment, visa, and ease to access a place of worship.[3][11]
In 2021 GMTI, the index also took into consideration factors such as travel corridors and bubbles.[9]
References
- "Indonesia aims for top spot in 2019 Global Muslim Travel Index". The Jakarta Post.
- "Trump's effect on tourism | DW | 15.02.2017". Deutsche Welle.
- Chin, Chester; Yusri, Aisya. "Muslim tourism is a promising market". The Star.
- "How Asia became a Muslim tourism hotspot, netting over US$30 billion". South China Morning Post. December 16, 2018.
- "Malaysia at top spot in global Muslim travel market". The Star.
- "Halal tourism boom draws Muslim holidaymakers to Asia". Nikkei Asia.
- "Malaysia, Indonesia tie for top spot among Muslim-friendly travel destinations". 9 April 2019.
- "Indonesia taps into Muslim tourist market with Shariah hotels". Arab News. November 18, 2019.
- "Malaysia ranks first again in global Muslim travel index despite pandemic". The Star.
- "Malaysia ranks first again in global Muslim travel index amid 'fragile' events". 3 June 2022.
- "Malaysia ranks world's best Muslim travel destination". 6 May 2017.