Muslim Travel Motivation

Abstract

The increasing number of Muslim tourists offers a substantial opportunity for tourism destinations, as this market is at the forefront of global tourism development. With the expansion of this tourist genre, it is essential and critical for tourism and hospitality businesses as well the authorities who develop tourism strategies to understand the pertinent factors that motivate Muslim tourists to travel. Muslim travel motivation, in the context of leisure, can be defined as the driving forces for Muslim people to travel impacted by Islamic values and culture. For Muslim tourists, building and strengthening relationships with family and friends, known as silaturrahim, is one of the core travel motivational factors. Travel is seen as the way to learn and gain knowledge and connect with others. Muslim tourists also consider travel as a means to appreciate God’s creation (nature) as endorsed in the Qur’an.