GCC Countries Halal Tourism Market Trends – Growth, Demand & Forecast 2025-2035

GCC Countries Halal Tourism Market Outlook (2025 to 2035)

The GCC region is expected to experience a considerable growth in the halal tourism market from 2025 to 2035. The rising demand for halal-compliant travel services has been driven by the increasing number of Muslim travelers worldwide, the growing Muslim population in the region, and a heightened awareness of halal tourism offerings.

The market, valued at about USD 125.1 billion in 2025, is expected to touch USD 215.2 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%. All these are generally supported by increased development of halal-friendly services, improvements in tourism infrastructure and further growth in the importance of GCC countries as crucial global destinations for Muslim tourists.

Halal tourism refers to services including halal food, places of prayer, sharia-compliant accommodations, and other culturally appropriate leisure activities. Since there is growing demand, most of the GCC countries, which are known to have a significant Muslim population, find their way to developing more personalized experiences for the halal-conscious traveler. Given a thriving tourism infrastructure and an effort to meet the peculiar demands of Muslim tourists, the GCC now carries a major position in the global halal tourism market.

Attributes of the GCC Halal Tourism Market

Attribute	Value
Estimated Industry Size in 2025	USD 1,25,167.8 MiIlion
Projected Value in 2035	USD 2,15,234.9 MiIlion
Value-based CAGR from 2025 to 2035	5.6%

Semi-Annual Market Update for the GCC Halal Tourism Market

Booking halal tourism is on the increase in GCC countries in the first half of 2024 with a 4.8% rise compared to last year, and this mainly contributes to increased demand for travel services that cater to halal requirements, specifically food, praying space, and Sharia-compliant accommodations.

Demand for customised halal travel packages has increased dramatically and, in this regard, the second half of 2025 is likely to see a 5.5% increase in halal tourism bookings supported by a more comprehensive range of halal offerings and bespoke services.

Recent Developments

Date	Development & Details
Jun 2024	Launch of Halal Resorts in Dubai: A luxury resort chain offering halal dining, prayer spaces, and family-friendly services launched in Dubai, targeting high-end Muslim travelers.
Apr 2024	Collaboration with Halal Travel Agencies: GCC-based tourism companies partnered with international halal travel agencies to offer curated halal packages that cater to cultural and religious needs.
Oct 2024	Halal Tourism Events in Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia launched the “Halal Tourism Festival,” showcasing halal-friendly tourism experiences, including cultural tours and halal dining options.

Key Industry Highlights of the GCC Halal Tourism Market

Growing Halal-Friendly Destinations

Cities in the GCC have emerged as hotspots of halal tourism. Dubai, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Doha are rapidly developing infrastructure catering to the halal community, including hotels that provide prayer rooms, dining options that serve food according to the halal code, and family-oriented leisure activities.

These cities are getting ready to attract Muslim tourists who are more interested in cultural, religious, and luxury experiences. Dubai, for instance, is becoming a center for luxury halal tourism. It offers such services as cruises that are halal, Sharia-compliant shopping, and Islamic heritage tours.

Expansion of Halal Services

As demand for halal services increases, hotels, restaurants, spas, and recreational activities receive halal certifications in the GCC region. Tourist destinations that are becoming the most popular because of their uniqueness include Abu Dhabi and Doha, which host tailored experiences that include halal luxury cruises, Sharia-compliant beach resorts, and other cultural events marking Islamic traditions.

These services, therefore, help Muslim travelers stay comfortable, conveniently, and engaged in experiences and activities that promote their values.

Development of Halal Travel Packages

Travel packages targeting Muslim tourists by providing a wide range of tourist packages to satisfy the demand for halal-friendly travel. These packages comprise halal food, places for prayer, Islamic cultural site visits, and leisure activities subject to Islamic principles.

Regional giants from the GCC countries, such as Al Tayyar, have specialized packages catering to Muslim travelers, while international players, such as HalalBooking, also offer these packages. These packages ensure that travelers can experience premium, religiously and culturally sensitive offerings.

Increased Domestic Travel by Muslim Tourists

In fact, domestic halal tourism is picking up in the GCC, fueled by the ease of travel, affordability, and increasing availability of more services that are halal-friendly within the region. Most of the GCC countries enjoy having very huge Muslim populations, and many are opting to visit their respective countries' halal tourism offerings. This is also on the back of increasing domestic halal tourism as the region invests in developing diverse, culturally relevant, and halal-compliant tourism options. As these services expand, the Muslim residents of the GCC are increasingly opting for local halal vacation experiences.

Increased International Attention and Tourism

The GCC has become an emerging destination for Muslims around the globe. For different reasons such as religious tourism, leisure travels, and other experiences, visitors are flocking from Southeast Asia, South Asia, and even Middle East into GCC countries.

This has only led to increased attractiveness of the Hajj pilgrimage from Saudi Arabia in terms of drawing millions of Muslim travelers year in and year out. The GCC is close to international markets, and it has been developing high-end halal tourism experiences, which are contributing factors to the increased inflow of international Muslim tourists.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

Collaborations between tourism boards, private companies, and international halal travel agencies contribute to the GCC halal tourism market. Such collaborations are key to promoting the region's halal-friendly offerings to global Muslim travelers.

For instance, Dubai Tourism has partnered with global halal tour operators to offer bespoke halal travel packages and marketing campaigns. Such collaboration increases global visibility, attracts Muslim travelers, and contributes to the overall growth of halal tourism in the region.

Rising Interest in Islamic Heritage and Cultural Tourism

Many Muslim travelers are now looking to explore Islamic cultural heritage during their trips. Saudi Arabia, home to Mecca and Medina, remains a major destination for religious tourism. However, other GCC countries are also capitalizing on the growing interest in Islamic heritage, offering historical Islamic tours, museums, and cultural festivals.

For example, the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar and the Islamic Art Gallery in Abu Dhabi are becoming a destination for international Muslim tourists looking for cultural and heritage tourism. This is also supported by guided tours that give an insight into the rich history of Islam in the region.

Promotion of Halal Tourism by Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs)

GCC countries have also made significant efforts at the national level to push halal tourism products through their respective DMOs. Entities like Dubai Tourism and Saudi Tourism Authority are vigorously engaging in activities like raising awareness of halal services on the international level, increasing visibility internationally, and positioning GCC countries as leaders in destinations for Muslim travelers.

Marketing campaigns, special tourism events, and promotional initiatives specifically targeted to the Muslim market are placing the region in the top ranks as a go-to destination for halal tourism.

Investment in Halal Tourism Infrastructure

In recent years, the GCC countries have highly invested in tourism infrastructure with all of these new halal-friendly aspects: there are certified hotels; there have been the emergence of Sharia compliant leisure facilities and also designated spaces for praying located within the airport, mall and other public place.

In addition, regional airports are becoming more appealing to Muslim travelers with the offerings of prayer rooms, halal restaurants, and family-oriented facilities at airports such as Dubai International Airport and King Abdulaziz International Airport. This investment will continue to sustain the growth of halal tourism in the region by making culturally appropriate services easily accessible to Muslim travelers.

Advancement in Halal Tourism Technology

Technology is playing a pivotal role in the increase of the halal tourism market in the GCC. Online booking platforms as well as the mobile apps specifically designed for Muslim travelers enhance the convenience and accessibility of halal-friendly services.

Companies such as HalalBooking, MuslimPro, and local platforms such as My Halal Travel also help Muslim tourists find and book their accommodations, meals, and leisure activities that would meet their religious and cultural preferences. These digital platforms make it easier for travelers to plan their trips and access relevant information about halal tourism services.

Analysis of GCC Halal Tourism Categories by Tour Type and Booking Channel

Domestic Tourists Account for the Larger Share in the GCC Halal Tourism Sector

The largest market in the GCC is domestic halal tourism, where traveling within the region is easier and cheaper. With a sizeable Muslim population in each country of the GCC, local tourists are increasingly seeking to visit these destinations within their own countries.

Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha are considered popular destinations for local tourists because they offer accommodation that is permissible under Islamic law, cultural activities, and even food that complies with these laws.

Online Booking Dominates Halal Tourism Spending in the GCC

The online booking platforms play a very significant role in the halal tourism market, which holds the majority share of spending. Booking services has never been easier with the advent of mobile apps and websites designed for Muslim travelers.

Travelers can book accommodations, restaurants, and activities that are aligned with Islamic principles through websites such as HalalBooking and MuslimPro. One major reason why online booking is gaining popularity in the GCC halal tourism market is due to its convenience, besides specialist services.

Country wise Analysis

Extensive Infrastructure Provides Significant Momentum to the UAE Halal Tourism Industry Growth

The UAE has grown to become one of the world's most important destinations for halal tourism, driven by strategic initiatives along with ever-increasing demand for halal-compliant travel services. Having a robust tourism infrastructure along with a significant population and increasing interest among international Muslim tourists makes it an attractive destination for halal tourism.

Dubai leads this wave of change with growing numbers of high-end, halal-friendly hotels, restaurants that have been granted a halal certificate for their menu options, and attractions to attract Muslim tourists. In 2024, Dubai launched its Halal Tourism Strategy to make the city the world's premier hub for halal tourism.

This is a project to increase the tourism sector in halal tourism, with a wide range of services offered, such as Sharia-compliant hotels with prayer rooms, halal beach resorts, and Islamic cultural experiences. The Dubai Tourism Authority (DTA) has been promoting the emirate as a key destination for Muslim tourists through several campaigns and partnerships with international travel agencies.

The demand for travel services in this sector is well demonstrated by Dubai Halal Tourism Expo, showcasing the latest trends in halal tourism. In fact, such a platform attracted international investors and tourism operators for further development. In addition to this, many airlines in UAE, such as Emirates, now offer their airline services to reach Muslim travelers through halal food and on-flight prayer facilities.

The commitment of the UAE in staying committed to being one of the leading destinations for Muslims shows a lot of its growth with respect to the halal tourism market, along with local demand and the rising international Muslim tourist population.

Religious Significance of Saudi Arabia makes it one of the top Halal Tourism Destinations

Saudi Arabia is one of the most important regional players in the global halal tourism market, as the tourism sector in the country benefits from it being the spiritual home of Islam and home to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The country's vision for this sector is focused in the development of infrastructure created with regard for the specific requirements of this segment, as well as ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 that focuses on economical diversification and positions tourism as one of the significant contributors to the country's economy.

Saudi Arabia's halal tourism industry is thriving, primarily due to its religious importance and the rising number of pilgrims arriving for Hajj and Umrah. In 2024, Saudi Arabia registered a 10% increase in international tourists, including Muslim travelers from all corners of the globe, attracted by its religious landmarks and unique Islamic heritage. The government has invested heavily in the expansion of halal tourism services, including Sharia-compliant hotels and resorts, halal-friendly dining options, and dedicated prayer spaces in public areas.

Saudi Arabia also began to host a new stream of tourists in addition to those who travel religiously. This country has presented luxury, Sharia-compliant, halal-based resorts in regions such as the Red Sea coastal area, thereby providing a setting that combines comfort and culture with a Sharia compliant environment. One of the high-profile tourism projects is the large-scale Red Sea Project, a luxury resort offering halal cuisine, private areas for prayer, and family activities.

Saudi Arabia's infrastructural investments along with the country's religious significance make it the perfect destination for religious and leisure halal tourism, which means steady growth in this sector.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape in the GCC Halal Tourism Ecosystem

The halal tourism market in the GCC is characterized by a mix of large international players and smaller niche operators. Global companies like HalalBooking, Al Tayyar, Rehlat, Al Mousa Travel are leading the charge, offering customized halal packages for Muslim travelers.

Simultaneously, niche operators are emerging to cater to specific needs, such as halal cruises or luxury Sharia-compliant resorts. This dynamic market structure offers a wide range of services to cater to diverse consumer preferences.

Table of Content

1. Introduction
2. Market Outlook
3. Semi-Annual Market Update
4. Recent Developments
5. Key Industry Highlights
6. Category wise Analysis
7. Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape
8. Key Segments Covered
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)