Muslim Friendly Tourism (MFT):
Understanding the Supply and Demand Sides
In the OIC Member Countries
28
Faith-based needs: Strictly Practicing, Practicing and Non-Practicing. These areas have been
expanded on in 1.2.3.
Based on the above framework, different Muslim traveler profiles can be developed and
specifically targeted by destinations. Four profiles are given below as common examples.
Profile 1
This is a profile of a Southeast Asian family, including generation X parents and young adult
children. This type of family is most likely to be traveling on an average budget, and usually for
the purposes of sightseeing, shopping and dining. They would also show an interest in any
Islamic heritage at the destination. Trips tend to be planned in advance, to accommodate
scheduling around school holidays and work leave. Personal experience factors into planning
as there is often a preference for familiar holiday destinations. New locations tend to be
researched in depth, with sites to visit planned beforehand.
Figure 11: Muslim Traveler Profile Tool – Profile 1