04 WITC 2024
04 WITC 2024
November-December . 2024
UNDERSTANDING THE MUSLIM TOURIST
Hannah Pearson and Shahzad Younas .
CONNECTING MUSLIMS TO THE DIGITAL SPACE
MUZZ , now the leading Muslim marriage and dating app worldwide , addresses the unique cultural and religious challenges Muslims face in marriage . Founder and CEO of Muzz Shahzad Younas presented how his app was revolutionising the way Muslims connect online , particularly in finding life partners .
Supporting 15 languages , the app fosters connections across nationalities , enhancing global Muslim interaction . Younas emphasised the app ’ s commitment to user safety , with verification processes including ID checks , ensuring a secure digital environment .
“ There ’ s a transformation happening with what Muzz actually is . It started as the app where single Muslims meet . Now , our dream , our vision , and what we ’ re working on is for it to be the app where all Muslims meet ,” said Younas .
“ I ’ m introducing Muzz Social . We ’ re launching a brand-new social network as part of Muzz . It ’ s actually already live - we ’ ve launched it in the UK , the US , Canada , and Australia .”
Beyond matchmaking , Muzz extends its features to support Muslim lifestyles , offering Muslim-friendly travel advice and connecting users with local Muslim communities .
The speaker emphasised that with the Muzz Social app , Muslim travellers , be they men or women , can easily connect with local brothers and sisters in the countries they visit , helping to enrich their travel experiences .
Younas also discussed the shortcomings of other platforms , which often provide poor user experiences and are subject to biased moderation . He criticised shadow banning on social media , where Muslim-related content can be suppressed and underscored Muzz ’ s dedication to creating an inclusive platform free from such restrictions .
FEMALE MUSLIM TRAVELLERS :
THE POWERHOUSE DRIVING THE INDUSTRY FORWARD
Elena Nikolova
FEMALE Muslim travellers play a significant role in shaping the global travel industry . Muslim Travel Girl Founder Elena Nikolova highlighted the economic power of this demographic , which contributes to a US $ 100 billion market .
With more Muslim women entering the workforce and gaining disposable income , their influence on the travel sector continues to grow . Nikolova emphasised the evolving profile of Muslim women travellers , who are increasingly educated , adventurous , and breaking away from traditional stereotypes .
“ We all share the same religion , but we are not all the same . Muslim women travellers and Muslims in general , we are not homogeneous ,” she elaborated .
Scan Me
“ I ’ m introducing Muzz Social . We ’ re launching a brandnew social network as part of Muzz . It ’ s actually already live - we ’ ve launched it in the UK , the US , Canada , and Australia .” – Shahzad Younas
She observed that many modern Muslim women are embracing diverse travel experiences , seeking independence and often travelling solo or with friends , as they prioritise personal growth while balancing religious norms .
The rise of female Muslim travel influencers on social media has further amplified their impact , with an estimated 70 million Muslim women travelling annually .
Nikolova also emphasised the importance of addressing the unique needs of female Muslim travellers , such as safety , access to halal food , and women-only high-quality service .
These women are increasingly discerning consumers who expect secure and welcoming
A panel discussion on Who is the Muslim Traveller .
WHO IS THE MUSLIM TRAVELLER ?
MUSLIM travellers , while united by shared values , differ significantly based on cultural , geographical , and religious factors . The panel titled ‘ Who is the Muslim Traveller ?’, moderated by Pacific Asia Travel Association ( PATA ) CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid , highlighted the diverse needs of the growing Muslim tourist market . Some discussions during the session were :
• Mud Orange Executive Director Ala Uddin discussed the concept of “ Religious Anxiety ,” referring to the stress Muslim travellers feel when they cannot access halal food or prayer facilities , urging the industry to create tailored experiences .
• Malaysia Chinese Inbound Association ( MICA ) Deputy President Dr Cindy Seow addressed the challenges faced by Chinese Muslim travellers , particularly language barriers and the difficulty of finding halal products . She shared examples of initiatives , such as visits by Chinese imams to Malaysia , that positively influenced perceptions of Muslim-friendly destinations .
• Crescentrating CEO Fazal Bahardeen focused on the evolution of the Muslim travel market and the role of halal certifications in providing clarity for Muslim travellers . He also discussed the Global Muslim Travel Index ( GMTI ), which tracks Muslim travel trends and helps guide industry strategies . The panellists also explored the key priorities for
Muslim travellers - halal food , prayer facilities , and Muslim-friendly accommodations - and emphasised the importance of personalised marketing strategies .
Tailored campaigns , data-driven insights , and halal certifications are vital for building trust and meeting the expectations of Muslim travellers , particularly in non-Muslim countries . The session concluded with a call for the travel industry to adapt and cater to this diverse and growing market segment .
environments .
“ Not only are female Muslim travellers worth over a hundred billion dollars , but they also influence the decisions of others , making them a powerful consumer group that can no longer be ignored .”
Nikolova concluded by emphasising the importance of authentic marketing and meaningful engagement with the Muslim community . Travel brands must build trust and avoid backlash by aligning with the values of female Muslim travellers .
Lastly , she noted that Muslim women ’ s travel experiences can serve as a powerful tool to counter stereotypes and foster cultural understanding , ultimately promoting a more inclusive global community . – RnR