Qatar ranks fifth globally in the Global Muslim Travel Index 2026, recognised for its faith-friendly tourism, digital innovation and world-class infrastructure.
Qatar has reinforced its position as one of the world’s leading destinations for Muslim travellers, ranking fifth globally in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2026, the latest report jointly released by Mastercard and CrescentRating.
The report highlights Qatar’s continued investment in accessible, faith-friendly and digitally enabled tourism.
The Muslim travel market is projected to reach 208 million international arrivals in 2026 and grow to 262 million by 2030, generating an estimated annual expenditure of US$310 billion.
Retaining its fifth-place ranking with a score of 76, Qatar was recognised for successfully combining world-class tourism infrastructure with services that meet the needs of Muslim travellers.
The report points to the country’s ability to host major international events, including the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, while maintaining an experience rooted in Islamic values.
The report also notes that Qatar provides a luxury travel experience that remains fully Muslim-friendly, with nearly all premium hotels and resorts offering halal dining options and prayer facilities.
Beyond hospitality, Qatar ranked second globally for accessibility for Muslim travellers, supported by its high-quality transport infrastructure, extensive international air connectivity, streamlined digital visa processes and expanded transit capabilities that have strengthened its position as a regional travel hub.
The report also recognises Qatar as one of the leading destinations for Muslim women travellers.
Alongside Kuwait and Oman, the country achieved a perfect score for the availability of prayer facilities and airport services catering to Muslim visitors.
GMTI 2026 places a stronger emphasis on how technology is transforming travel, with 80% of travellers worldwide now using artificial intelligence tools to research and plan their journeys.
For Muslim travellers, AI is increasingly helping users identify halal dining options, locate prayer spaces, compare transport routes and receive personalised travel recommendations.
The report warns that destinations that fail to make their Muslim-friendly offerings digitally accessible risk being overlooked by AI-powered travel platforms, regardless of the quality of their physical infrastructure.
Qatar is highlighted as an example of digital innovation through Qatar Airways’ AI-powered digital concierge, Sama 2.0, which combines travel assistance with customer engagement across digital and social media platforms, reflecting the growing importance of AI in enhancing the traveller experience.
Communication also remains a key factor in destination competitiveness.
The report cites Qatar’s multilingual tourism services, trained frontline staff, clear transit signage and comprehensive visitor resources as contributing to an inclusive and culturally welcoming experience for international travellers.
While Qatar remains one of the report’s strongest performers, the Gulf region continues to play an important role in Muslim-friendly tourism.
Kuwait maintained seventh place globally, recognised for its safe and accessible travel environment, while Oman ranked tenth, supported by strong regional connectivity and ongoing infrastructure improvements.
Mastercard and CrescentRating noted that Muslim-friendly tourism is evolving beyond the provision of halal food and prayer spaces.
The 11th edition of the Global Muslim Travel Index evaluates 150 destinations representing more than 98% of global Muslim visitor arrivals using its Access, Communications, Environment and Services (ACES) framework, with new indicators measuring AI readiness, digital visibility, traveller confidence and destination resilience.
