African Countries Keep Rising in Popularity among Muslim Tourists

IQNA – African countries are becoming increasingly popular among Muslim travelers, while Western destinations are losing their appeal to Muslim tourists.

France is no longer among the most attractive destinations for Muslim travelers, according to the 2025 edition of the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI). 

Developed by CrescentRating in partnership with Mastercard, this benchmark ranking has assessed the world’s most «Muslim-friendly» tourist destinations annually since 2015.

The latest report, which now includes 153 countries, shows a notable decline in the appeal of several Western destinations. Countries such as France, Switzerland, Belgium, and even the United States are absent from this year's ranking. Meanwhile, nations like Kenya, New Zealand, and Lebanon are gaining prominence.

The Asia-Pacific and African regions continue to rise in popularity. Malaysia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia remain firmly at the top of the list.

In 2024, Muslim tourists took nearly 176 million trips, an increase of over 25% compared to the previous year. By 2030, that number is expected to grow to 245 million, representing a market valued at $230 billion.

Source: en.yabiladi.com