UAE ranks 6th in Global Muslim Travel Index

July 07, 2026 (MLN): The 11th edition of the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), released by Mastercard and CrescentRating, highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI), digital trust, regional mobility and destination readiness in shaping Muslim-friendly travel, according to WAM.

The report projects international Muslim visitor arrivals to reach 208 million in 2026, up from 196 million in 2025, before rising further to 262 million by 2030.

Annual spending by Muslim travellers is expected to reach an estimated $310bn by the end of the decade, according to APP.

GMTI 2026 assessed 150 destinations, representing more than 98% of global Muslim visitor arrivals, using the Access, Communications, Environment and Services (ACES) framework.

This year's edition also places greater emphasis on AI readiness, digital visibility, smart destination infrastructure, traveller confidence and resilience planning.

The United Arab Emirates ranked sixth globally with a score of 75, showing its performance in halal tourism, Muslim-friendly services and destination marketing.

The country was also included in the Trailblazers category, comprising 27 destinations recognised for their efforts to accommodate Muslim travellers.

The report said the UAE maintained its position among the world's most accessible travel destinations due to its extensive air and land connectivity.

It also cited the country's airports, public transport network and visa policies as key factors supporting seamless travel. The UAE achieved a perfect score of 100 for the availability of halal dining options and prayer facilities.

According to GMTI 2026, 80% of travellers surveyed globally now use AI tools for travel-related purposes, indicating a shift in the way journeys are planned and managed.

AI-powered platforms are increasingly being used to locate halal restaurants, identify prayer spaces, compare transport options, provide personalised recommendations and assist travellers during their trips.

The report noted that this trend is particularly significant for Muslim travellers, who often need to verify multiple faith-based requirements before and during travel.

It added that destinations failing to digitise their Muslim-friendly services risk being overlooked by AI-driven recommendation platforms, regardless of the quality of their physical infrastructure.

It further stated that competition among destinations is increasingly driven by digital visibility, with locations that provide accurate, machine-readable and regularly updated information expected to attract more visitors.

The report also highlighted the growing adoption of technologies including e-visas, biometric border systems, AI chatbots, digital travel assistants, real-time translation services and smart destination management to improve travel experiences and reduce uncertainty.

Despite wider use of AI-powered translation and digital services, GMTI 2026 said access to human assistance and native-language resources remains important, particularly in Arabic and English.

The UAE was recognised for offering multilingual support through trained frontline staff, tourism portals, transit signage and travel guides.

The report also found that Muslim travel demand remains resilient despite global uncertainty. However, higher fuel costs, geopolitical tensions, airspace disruptions and security concerns are encouraging travellers to choose destinations closer to home.

It described this trend as "home-continent" mobility, where travellers prefer regional routes that offer greater stability and convenience instead of long-haul journeys.

GMTI 2026 also introduced the Destination Activation Stack, a strategic model combining the ACES, RIDA and TRUST frameworks to evaluate destination preparedness, travel experiences and the factors that influence booking decisions.

The report said destinations are now assessed not only on the availability of halal food and prayer facilities but also on how accessible, visible, reliable and digitally discoverable those services are for travellers.

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