The foreword to the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2023 report by Safdar Khan, Division President, Southeast Asia, Mastercard.
“It is fascinating to see that these young explorers seek experiences that align with some of the major global issues that define their generation”
After having endured a few years of border restrictions, quarantines, and diminished flights, it is heartening to see that travel is truly on its way to recovery. The story now is shifting from how people were unable to travel to how travel behaviors have changed and how travel businesses must become more resilient.
Research from the Mastercard Economics Institute shows that the relaxing of border restrictions at the end of 2021 across most of Asia Pacific was followed by a sharp spike in international trips, fueled in part by pent-up demand and accumulated savings. While inflationary pressures and some supply-side difficulties pushed up the cost of travel, barring any major shocks, we can now focus on helping the industry get back on its feet after a truly difficult period.
Understanding the needs and wants of tourists is key to attracting customers and driving return trips. However, the category of “tourists” is almost as broad as simply saying “people”. Our partnership with CrescentRating entails delving deeper into an incredibly important, unique, and sizable group of travelers. With the launch of Mastercard-CrescentRating Muslim Gen Z: The Next Generation of Travelers, we are providing even more granular insights into one of the most interesting emerging demographics, Muslim Gen Zs. This is a group that has distinctive interests, and the findings are a clear indication that catering to this group of travelers is more than simply accommodating religious considerations.
It is fascinating to see that these young explorers seek experiences that align with some of the major global issues that define their generation – they want more sustainable options, more experiences with nature, greater cultural immersion and opportunities to make a difference in the local communities when they travel.
The influence of Gen Zs is only going to grow – in fact, given their understanding and frequent use of social media, many are already creating and guiding opinions about where to travel. Simply put, connecting with Muslim Gen Zs is fundamental to creating sustainable tourism offerings for them.
Mastercard has been committed to helping business, governments and consumers navigate the challenges of the pandemic and will continue to support them in their recovery. With HalalTrip and CrescentRating, we unlock valuable data, insights and trends for everyone in the travel industry, enabling them to make informed decisions so that they can better meet the needs of their target markets and achieve long-term success. Together, we are working towards creating a more sustainable, robust, and inclusive tourism industry.
Visit this link to download the full Muslim Gen Z Report!
