M’sia remains top Muslim-friendly destination as AI reshapes travel planning

PETALING JAYA: Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a key travel companion for Muslim travellers, with 80% now using AI tools to research and plan their trips, according to the latest Global Muslim Travel Index.

The report also found that Malaysia retained its position as the world’s top Muslim-friendly destination for the 11th consecutive year, ahead of Indonesia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which shared second place.

Qatar placed fifth, followed by the UAE in sixth place.

Singapore remained the highest-ranked non-OIC destination, followed by Hong Kong, while Taiwan and the United Kingdom shared third place in the non-OIC category.

The report, released by Mastercard and CrescentRating, evaluated 150 destinations representing more than 98% of global Muslim visitor arrivals.

It noted that travellers are increasingly using AI-powered platforms to locate halal dining options, identify prayer facilities, compare transport routes, and receive personalised recommendations.

The growing reliance on digital tools comes as travel habits continue to evolve amidst geopolitical tensions, rising costs and security concerns.

Rather than cancelling trips altogether, many travellers are opting for destinations closer to home, favouring places that offer greater safety, convenience and predictability.

This has helped strengthen Southeast Asia’s position as a leading travel corridor for Muslim travellers, thanks to its air connectivity, established halal ecosystems and cultural appeal.

Other Asian destinations showing strong momentum include Thailand, the Philippines, Japan and South Korea, reflecting growing investment in Muslim-friendly services and travel infrastructure.

The report also noted the increasing use of technologies such as e-visas, biometric border systems, AI chatbots and digital travel assistants to make travel planning smoother and reduce uncertainty about faith-based requirements before and during a trip.

As AI becomes more common in travel planning, destinations would need to ensure such information is easy to find, accurate and up to date, the report concluded.