The Muslim Travel Intent Tracker (MTIT) July 2023 score of 82.7 is the highest score recorded during the survey periods. 57.7% of the respondents intend to travel in July. In total, 90.2% of respondents intend to travel in the next six months. This is the highest number recorded in the monthly surveys conducted so far.
You can read the Muslim Travel Intent Tracker (MTIT) reports for the other months here
The MTIT score represents a quantitative measure of travel intent among Muslim consumers. It indicates the level of interest and willingness among respondents to engage in travel activities within the next six months. A higher MTIT score suggests a stronger inclination and readiness to travel, while a lower score indicates a comparatively lower level of travel intent.
The July 2023 score of 82.7 is the highest score recorded during the survey periods. This could be due to July and August being the school holiday periods.
The first round of surveys was done from August 2021 to January 2022, as COVID-19 restrictions were gradually lifted. MTIT scores during this period exhibited a gradual increase, reflecting a growing travel intent among Muslim consumers. The scores ranged from 65.7 to 77.7, with December 2021 recording the highest of 77.7. This upward trend suggested a strengthening desire to engage in travel activities among respondents during the latter months.
In the subsequent period from February 2023 to July 2023, the MTIT scores demonstrate a generally higher level of travel intent compared to the earlier period. The scores range from 71.2 to 82.7, with July 2023 exhibiting the highest score of 82.7. This notable surge in travel intent during June and July indicates a significant increase in the willingness to travel among Muslim consumers. These findings highlight a positive shift in travel behavior and indicate favorable prospects for the travel industry, particularly within the Muslim travel market.
The intent to travel in the current month varied across the surveyed months, ranging from 40.5% to 62.2% over the two periods. December 2021 recorded the highest intent to travel in the current month at 62.2%, suggesting a relatively strong inclination among respondents to embark on immediate travel during that month.
February 2023 to July 2023 showed steady growth in the intent to travel during the current month, with percentages growing from 49.9% to 57.5%.
The intent to travel after one month up to 3 months ranged from 11.1% to 24.7%. March 2023 exhibited the highest intent to travel after one month up to 3 months, with a percentage of 24.7%, suggesting a relatively stronger inclination to embark on near-future travel during that month.
The intent to travel after three months up to 6 months ranges from 6.0% to 21.4%. March 2023 exhibited the highest intent to travel after three months up to 6 months, with a percentage of 21.4%, suggesting a relatively stronger inclination to embark on mid-term travel during that month. The intent percentages for this time frame in other months remained relatively consistent, ranging from 6.0% to 19.0%, indicating a steady level of interest in future travel plans in 3 months up to 6 months.
The intent to travel after six months up to 12 months and after 12 months varied across the surveyed months, indicating a relatively lower level of travel intent for these time frames. The percentages ranged from 4.2% to 8.8% after six months up to 12 months, and from 5.6% to 15.2% after 12 months, with one outlier of 23.4% recorded in the August 2021 survey. This is understandable as consumers were putting back their travel plans as COVID-19 restrictions were still implemented in some destinations.
It is important to note that the intent to travel after six months up to 12 months and after 12 months showed fluctuations across the surveyed months. Some months recorded higher percentages, such as January 2022, after six months up to 12 months, and August 2021 after 12 months, while other months showed lower percentages. The August 2021 and January 2022 data reflect the travel planning desire of consumers as they anticipate lowering pandemic health concerns.
Overall, the respondents showed a strong inclination for immediate travel opportunities, followed by a moderate interest in near-future and mid-term travel plans. However, there was a relatively lower level of certainty or commitment to long-term travel plans.
In the MTIT survey conducted, the participants were queried about the destinations they planned to visit. Saudi Arabia has been mentioned several times, indicating a strong preference for travel to the destination. The post-pandemic period has witnessed a significant increase in the desire to perform Hajj and Umrah, as evidenced by the arrival numbers in 2022, along with a notable rise in the number of Muslims who have recently embarked on Umrah journeys.
The other destinations that appear multiple times in the responses are the UK, Spain, Japan, the USA, Australia, and Canada. This indicates a greater interest or intention to travel to these destinations specifically.
The responses show that Muslim travelers have a wide range of travel aspirations and desire to visit destinations worldwide. The responses include popular and lesser-known places, reflecting the respondents' varied interests and travel intentions. It also highlights the appeal of different regions and emerging destinations, as well as the global popularity of certain destinations.
The Muslim Travel Intent Tracker (MTIT) is a metric designed to gauge and monitor the travel intent of Muslim travelers over time. By considering various timeframes, from immediate travel plans to those planned over a year in advance, the MTIT will capture the dynamic and evolving preferences of the Muslim travel market.
The MTIT will be tracked and published monthly, ensuring industry stakeholders stay informed about current trends, anticipate future demand, and identify potential growth opportunities in the Muslim travel market.
The algorithm used to calculate the travel intent score is based on assigning weights to different time frames representing various future travel plans.
By understanding these trends, businesses and destinations can tailor their offerings and marketing strategies to better cater to Muslim travelers' evolving needs and preferences.
Read our collection of Muslim Travel Intent Tracker (MTIT) reports for different months here:
