Bahrain and Jordan among world’s top 15 Muslim-friendly destinations, according to Mastercard and CrescentRating’s Global Muslim Travel Index 2026

Mastercard and CrescentRating released the 11th edition of the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), revealing how AI, digital trust, regional mobility and destination readiness are reshaping the next phase of Muslim-friendly travel. The report projects international Muslim arrivals to increase to 208 million this year, compared to 196 million in 2025, and reach 262 million by 2030, commanding an estimated annual expenditure of $310 billion.

GMTI 2026 evaluates 150 destinations, representing more than 98% of global Muslim visitor arrivals, across the Access, Communications, Environment and Services (ACES) framework. The latest edition introduces a stronger focus on AI readiness, digital visibility, smart destination infrastructure, traveler confidence and resilience planning amid a more volatile global environment.

Bahrain and Jordan remain attractive to Muslim travel growth

Bahrain has climbed to seventh place among the top travel destinations for Muslims with a score of 74, improving its ranking by five places. The significant jump reflects the country’s growing appeal and commitment to developing a Muslim-friendly travel ecosystem, making it a key emerging player in the region. In addition, Bahrain came second among destinations that provide a safe, sustainable and accessible environment where Muslim travelers can explore with confidence and peace of mind.

Jordan also remains a strong performer, retaining its spot in the top 15 with 12th place and a score of 72, highlighting its established position in the Muslim travel market. This year, the country shot up among the top five most accessible destinations due to its modernized visa facilitation and increased flight connectivity, making it more convenient and welcoming for Muslim travelers.

Both nations recorded a perfect score of 100 in the availability of prayer places and airport services for Muslims.

“In line with our long-standing commitment to supporting the growth of the travel and tourism industry, we are pleased to collaborate with CrescentRating to develop GMTI, which identifies the key trends and destination leaders shaping the future of halal travel. Jordan’s and Bahrain’s continued presence among the top 15 Muslim-friendly travel destinations testify to their rich tourism offerings, modern amenities and abundant halal facilities,” said Saud Swar, country manager, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and other Levant, at Mastercard.  

Muslim travel enters the era of digital trust

GMTI 2026 indicates that 80% of travelers worldwide now use AI tools for travel purposes, signaling a major shift in how they discover, evaluate and plan their journeys. Travel planning is entering a new era where digital tools are moving beyond convenience to become part of the trust infrastructure for travelers. AI-powered platforms can now help travelers find halal dining options, locate prayer spaces, compare transport routes, receive personalized recommendations and navigate destinations with greater confidence.

This shift is especially important for Muslim travelers, who often need to validate multiple faith-based requirements before and during a trip. GMTI 2026 notes that destinations which fail to digitize their Muslim-friendly offerings risk being excluded from AI-driven recommendation systems, regardless of the quality of their physical infrastructure.

In this new environment, the competitive landscape is moving from service availability to algorithmic visibility. Destinations that make trusted information machine-readable, up to date and contextually available will be better-placed to convert travel intent into visits.

The report points to the rise of digitally enabled destinations, with technologies such as e-visas, biometric border systems, AI chatbots, digital travel assistants, real-time translation and smart destination management helping improve ease of travel and reduce uncertainty across the journey.

“The Muslim travel market is expanding at an unprecedented pace, driven by the continued growth of the global Muslim population. With 70% of Muslims worldwide now digitally native, GMTI 2026 highlights a profound evolution in how travel is consumed. As travelers move from active searching to AI-assisted decision-making, destinations must ensure that Muslim-friendly services are not only available but also digitally visible,” said Fazal Bahardeen, CEO, CrescentRating and HalalTrip.

Global volatility drives demand for safer, closer journeys

Amid global volatility, Muslim travel demand remains resilient, but traveler behavior is changing. Rising fuel costs, geopolitical tensions, airspace disruptions and security concerns are prompting more travelers to favor closer, safer and more predictable destinations.

GMTI 2026 identifies this as a shift toward ‘home-continent’ mobility, where travelers adjust itineraries rather than cancel plans entirely. Instead of relying on long-haul routes through complex transit hubs, many are choosing regional corridors that offer greater stability, lower friction and stronger confidence.

From destination readiness to destination activation

Over the years, GMTI has tracked the rise of the global Muslim travel market from a resilient niche segment into a mainstream economic powerhouse. This year’s edition introduces Destination Activation Stack, a strategic model that integrates three frameworks: ACES, which measures foundational destination preparedness; RIDA, which assesses responsible, immersive, digital and assured travel experiences; and TRUST, which evaluates the signals that convert traveler interest into bookings.

Together, these frameworks reflect how Muslim-friendly tourism is evolving. Destinations are no longer assessed only by whether they provide baseline services, such as halal food and prayer spaces. They must also show that these services are accessible, visible, reliable, digitally discoverable and aligned with traveler expectations around safety, sustainability, inclusivity and experience quality.