Airports · Rail · Cruise Ports

Transforming
Airports, Train Stations,
Cruise Terminals
to Inclusive Experiences

The global Muslim travel market reached $189B in 2024 and is on course for $235B by 2030. CrescentRating gives airports, rail operators, and cruise ports the intelligence, standards, and activation to lead in this market, not just participate in it.

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17+Years

153Destinations Ranked

176M

Arrivals 2024

$235B

Market by 2030

Market Intelligence

The opportunity is measurable.
The window is now.

Millions of Muslim travelers choose transit routes and hubs based on inclusive facilities and faith-aligned services. Position your transportation hubs to capture this high-growth market segment:

$235B

Muslim travel expenditure projected by 2030

Up from $189B in 2024

176M

International Muslim arrivals in 2024

+25% year-on-year growth

245M

Projected Muslim arrivals by 2030

Fastest-growing travel segment globally

153

Destinations tracked in GMTI 2025

The world's most comprehensive Muslim travel index

Source: Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2025

The Challenge

Why most hubs underperform in this market.

Despite the scale of Muslim travel, the majority of airports and transit hubs capture only a fraction of their potential. Here is what gets in the way, starting with the misconception that holds most hubs back before they even begin.

"Hubs that treat Muslim-friendly transit as a checkbox exercise rather than a strategic segment consistently underperform those that invest in intelligence-led, standards-backed approaches."

CrescentRating Strategic Advisory

A common misconception worth addressing

Becoming Muslim-friendly does not mean narrowing your guest profile. It means expanding it: adding a high-value, fast-growing segment without displacing any traveler already using your hub.

Intelligence gaps

Most airports and transit hubs lack reliable, hub-specific data on Muslim traveler profiles, transit patterns, spending behaviour, and unmet service needs, making investment decisions and infrastructure planning guesswork.

No credible standards

Without a globally recognized accreditation framework, transportation hubs cannot credibly communicate readiness to Muslim travelers or differentiate from competing hubs that claim the same audience.

Infrastructure shortfalls

Prayer spaces, ablution facilities, and halal dining availability remain inconsistent across terminals worldwide. These gaps are the primary reason Muslim travelers rate hub experiences poorly in MTIT surveys.

Capability deficits

Frontline staff, F&B operators, and lounge providers typically lack the training and operational standards to consistently deliver Muslim-friendly experiences, undermining hub brand promises made in marketing.

Client Case Studies

Built around your hub.
Not a generic template.

Every hub operates differently. CrescentRating adapts its assessment framework, certification process, and onboarding timeline to fit your specific operations, traveler profile, and readiness level.

Business Aviation Hub

Hong Kong SAR, China

Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre

HKBAC engaged CrescentRating to assess and certify its private lounge facilities for Muslim business travelers flying into Hong Kong. The onboarding process took 1 month and 7 days from initial briefing to certification, with CrescentRating adapting the assessment framework to the unique demands of a business aviation setting: private lounges, bespoke catering, and a high-net-worth traveler profile distinct from commercial terminals.

Crescent Rating certification achieved within 1 month, 7 days

Halal options available for private charter clients

Dedicated prayer amenities provided on-site

Cruise Terminal

Hong Kong SAR, China

Kai Tak Cruise Terminal

Kai Tak Cruise Terminal worked with CrescentRating to position itself as one of the most Muslim-friendly cruise departure points in Asia. CrescentRating adapted its standards to the operational environment of cruise terminals, focusing on Muslim-friendly essentials such as prayer amenities, ablution facilities, and halal food accessibility.

Crescent Rating certification for Muslim-friendly cruise terminal facilities

Halal food options within the terminal

Staff training delivered across terminal operations teams

Explore more establishments

Your hub has its own context.

Tell us about your operation and we will map the right engagement pathway for your specific needs.

Start the Conversation

Proprietary Intelligence

The Muslim Travel Intent
Tracker (MTIT)

Know exactly when and where Muslim travelers are planning their next journey. Give your hub the intelligence to time service upgrades, staff deployments, and marketing pushes to match real demand, not historical assumptions.

What the MTIT publishes

Each monthly edition of the MTIT is a public report. Anyone can read it. It covers the current score, trend charts, seasonal patterns, a 6-month outlook, key travel windows, source market demand, and traveler profile breakdowns.

PublishedMonthly

Source markets15+

Available sinceAug 2021

Score range0 to 100

AccessFree to read

Read the latest MTIT

Current Score and Score Trend

Each edition publishes the current MTIT score on a 0 to 100 scale alongside a trend chart showing how intent has moved over recent months. Readers can track whether Muslim travel intent is rising, steady, or declining.

Score and trend chart in every monthly edition

Typical Monthly Pattern and 6-Month Outlook

A radar chart shows how Muslim travel intent typically distributes across the months of the year. A forward-looking 6-month outlook projects the expected direction of the score based on seasonal and event-driven patterns.

Seasonal pattern and 6-month projection included

Key Muslim Travel Windows and Hajj Period

The report lists the key Muslim travel windows in the coming months, including Eid periods and school holidays. A dedicated section covers how the Hajj travel period typically builds, with timing and volume context.

Travel windows and Hajj period analysis in every edition

Where Demand Is Building and Who Is Behind the Signal

A country-by-country table shows where outbound Muslim travel intent is strongest that month. A separate traveler profile section breaks down the people generating that intent by trip purpose, travel party, and booking timing.

Source market table and traveler profile in every edition

Services

Four capabilities. One integrated
hub strategy.

Every service is designed to interlock. Hubs that engage across the full suite build compounding competitive advantage: better data informs better standards, which powers better positioning for Muslim travelers.

01Strategy

Strategic Consultancy

End-to-end strategy design for airports, rail operators, and cruise ports entering or scaling in the Muslim travel segment: market entry analysis, competitive positioning, stakeholder alignment, and multi-year roadmap development.

Board-ready strategy documents

Investment prioritization frameworks

02Standards

Crescent Rating Accreditation

Independent Crescent Rating accreditation for airports, terminals, lounges, and transit hotels. Provides Muslim travelers with credible third-party verification of your hub's Muslim-friendly service readiness.

Crescent Rating certification for terminals

Lounge and transit facility certificates

03Capability

CR Academy Training

Structured capability building for hub management, terminal staff, lounge operators, and frontline service providers. Curriculum covers Muslim travel fundamentals through to advanced hub service management.

Certified staff cohorts

Operator compliance and management uplift

04Marketing

Marketing and Promotion

Integrated campaign design, content production, and channel partnerships that position your hub as the preferred transit point for Muslim travelers. Includes editorial, digital, and event activation at Halal In Travel Global Summit.

Multi-channel campaign execution

Content partnership and summit presence

Not sure where to start?

Our hub strategy team will guide you to the right engagement pathway.

Schedule a Consultation

Accreditation Tiers

Three tiers.
One global standard.

Every CR accreditation is awarded in Bronze, Silver, or Gold, reflecting the depth and breadth of Muslim-friendly services delivered. Each tier is independently assessed and publicly listed in the CR Member Directory.

Airport Terminal

Awarded to airports that meet CrescentRating's verified standards across halal dining options, dedicated prayer spaces, ablution facilities, and staff capability. Muslim travelers can arrive knowing their needs are already taken care of.

Bronze

Silver

Gold

Airport Lounge

Recognises airport lounges that go beyond the standard offering. Independently verified halal menus, private prayer areas, and culturally sensitive service meet the expectations of Muslim business and premium travelers.

Bronze

Silver

Gold

Train Station

Awarded to train stations and rail terminals that provide verified halal food and beverage options, accessible prayer facilities, and a welcoming environment for Muslim travelers throughout their journey.

Bronze

Silver

Gold

Cruise Terminal

Recognises cruise terminals that provide a smooth, inclusive experience for Muslim passengers. Covers verified halal dining options, prayer spaces within the terminal, and staff trained in Muslim traveler needs at every touchpoint.

Bronze

Silver

Gold

Why CrescentRating

The only firm that has been inside this market since day one.

CrescentRating is not a general travel consultancy that added Muslim-friendly to its portfolio. This is our sole focus, which is why airport CEOs, transit authority directors, and cruise port operators commission us.

17+

Years in Muslim Travel

The first and only global authority on Muslim-friendly travel, established before the market was on most boardroom agendas.

Year Mastercard Partnership

The Mastercard-CrescentRating partnership co-produces the GMTI, the most cited Muslim travel benchmark in government and industry worldwide.

25+

Countries Served

CrescentRating has delivered rating and accreditation services to tourism and hospitality establishments across more than 25 countries, supporting the growth of Muslim-friendly travel worldwide.

Global credibility that drives conversion

CrescentRating is the globally recognised independent rating and accreditation service for Muslim-friendly transportation hubs and travel services.

Proof recognised by Muslim travelers

Our ratings and accreditations are trusted by a growing global audience of halal-conscious leisure and business travelers who rely on our standards when choosing hubs.

Actionable insights, not generic audits

We evaluate your current facilities and provide unbiased, strategic recommendations to better attract and serve Muslim travelers at your hub.

Consistent quality across regions

Our accreditation framework covers airports, lounges, cruise terminals, and rail operators, maintaining verified high standards worldwide.

Mastercard

Research Partner since 2015

UN Tourism

Affiliate Member

PATA

Board Member

For consumer-facing discovery, our sister platform HalalTrip connects Muslim travellers directly to Crescent Rated attractions and experiences.

Partner With Us

Ready to lead in
Muslim travel?

The transportation hubs that will capture Muslim traveler loyalty through 2030 are making their strategic investments now. CrescentRating gives your hub the intelligence, standards, and activation to be one of them.

Request a Strategic Briefing

A confidential 90-minute session with our hub strategy team, tailored to your airport, rail, or cruise operation and GMTI standing.

Book a Briefing

Download the GMTI 2025

The Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 10th edition, the definitive report on 153 destinations and the trends shaping Muslim travel to 2030.

Download Report

Prefer to reach us directly?

[email protected]crescentrating.com/contact-us

Transforming
Airports, Train Stations,
Cruise Terminals
to Inclusive Experiences

17+Years

153Destinations Ranked

Why most hubs underperform in this market.

"Hubs that treat Muslim-friendly transit as a checkbox exercise rather than a strategic segment consistently underperform those that invest in intelligence-led, standards-backed approaches."

CrescentRating Strategic Advisory

TransformingAirports, Train Stations,Cruise Terminalsto Inclusive Experiences

The opportunity is measurable.The window is now.