DOHA: Doha has been ranked among the top 10 destinations within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for Muslims to travel to for shopping purposes, according to a new report released by MasterCard and CrescentRating just ahead of the upcoming Global Islamic Summit to be held in Dubai.
The Muslim Travel Shopping Index 2015 (MTSI 2015) was released during MasterCard’s Innovation Forum in Kuala Lumpur. It analyses the trends and preferences of the Muslim traveller shopping market based on the performance of 40 main international shopping destinations against a number of set criteria. Compiled by MasterCard and CrescentRating, the publication of the inaugural MTSI2015 Index ranked Doha as the eighth top shopping destination for Muslim tourists globally, with a weighted score of 59.5 out of 100.
Dubai in the UAE took the number one spot with a weighted score of 79.5 out of 100. Manama in Bahrain was the second highest ranked destination in the Arab World according to the MTSI 2015 for destinations within the OIC, coming in at seventh overall with a score of 59.6, while Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia followed closely as the fourth-ranked shopping destination in the Arab World, with an overall rating of ninth and a weighted score of 59.3.
While it fell outside of the top 10 global Muslim travel shopping destinations, Sharjah in the UAE ranked fifth highest amongst the MTSI 2015 destinations in the Arab World, coming in 12th overall with a competitive score of 55.3.
Commenting on the release of MTSI 2015, Raghu Malhotra, Division President, Middle East and North Africa, MasterCard said, “With 108 million Muslim travellers representing 10 per cent of the entire travel economy in 2014, and forecasted to grow even further to 150 million visitors by 2020, it is evident this segment of the travel market represents a huge opportunity for both public and private sector organisations. We are very pleased to publish this Index on the travel and shopping patterns of Muslim communities in order for organisations around the world to more effectively target and capture share of this lucrative travel sector.”
Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of CrescentRating & Halal Trip said: “The MTSI is a fascinating insight into the shopping habits of Muslim consumers and will prove to be an invaluable tool to the entire sector. The research looks at two of the most important expenditure components of Muslim travellers which is shopping and dining. It is a perfect complement to the GMTI2015 which we launched earlier this year and allows us to provide a complete picture of how Muslims spend their money when travelling.”
MTSI uses a comprehensive set of metrics to rank destinations including a city’s suitability as a shopping destination, its Muslim-friendly services and facilities, and its ease of travel and family friendliness. Collectively, these factors contribute to the overall score and ranking of each destination.
The report also provides valuable insight into the behaviour and preference of Muslim travel shoppers and diners.The Peninsula
DOHA: Doha has been ranked among the top 10 destinations within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for Muslims to travel to for shopping purposes, according to a new report released by MasterCard and CrescentRating just ahead of the upcoming Global Islamic Summit to be held in Dubai.
The Muslim Travel Shopping Index 2015 (MTSI 2015) was released during MasterCard’s Innovation Forum in Kuala Lumpur. It analyses the trends and preferences of the Muslim traveller shopping market based on the performance of 40 main international shopping destinations against a number of set criteria. Compiled by MasterCard and CrescentRating, the publication of the inaugural MTSI2015 Index ranked Doha as the eighth top shopping destination for Muslim tourists globally, with a weighted score of 59.5 out of 100.
Dubai in the UAE took the number one spot with a weighted score of 79.5 out of 100. Manama in Bahrain was the second highest ranked destination in the Arab World according to the MTSI 2015 for destinations within the OIC, coming in at seventh overall with a score of 59.6, while Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia followed closely as the fourth-ranked shopping destination in the Arab World, with an overall rating of ninth and a weighted score of 59.3.
While it fell outside of the top 10 global Muslim travel shopping destinations, Sharjah in the UAE ranked fifth highest amongst the MTSI 2015 destinations in the Arab World, coming in 12th overall with a competitive score of 55.3.
Commenting on the release of MTSI 2015, Raghu Malhotra, Division President, Middle East and North Africa, MasterCard said, “With 108 million Muslim travellers representing 10 per cent of the entire travel economy in 2014, and forecasted to grow even further to 150 million visitors by 2020, it is evident this segment of the travel market represents a huge opportunity for both public and private sector organisations. We are very pleased to publish this Index on the travel and shopping patterns of Muslim communities in order for organisations around the world to more effectively target and capture share of this lucrative travel sector.”
Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of CrescentRating & Halal Trip said: “The MTSI is a fascinating insight into the shopping habits of Muslim consumers and will prove to be an invaluable tool to the entire sector. The research looks at two of the most important expenditure components of Muslim travellers which is shopping and dining. It is a perfect complement to the GMTI2015 which we launched earlier this year and allows us to provide a complete picture of how Muslims spend their money when travelling.”
MTSI uses a comprehensive set of metrics to rank destinations including a city’s suitability as a shopping destination, its Muslim-friendly services and facilities, and its ease of travel and family friendliness. Collectively, these factors contribute to the overall score and ranking of each destination.
The report also provides valuable insight into the behaviour and preference of Muslim travel shoppers and diners.The Peninsula
