Muslim-Friendly Tourism Data Challenges: Available Resources and Deficiencies

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to introduce national and international data sources related to Muslim-friendly tourism and review past studies. By doing so, this research aims to highlight the importance of addressing both the strengths and weaknesses of previous research on Muslim-friendly tourism and providing recommendations to stakeholders based on the findings. The research also includes a bibliometric analysis of national and international studies conducted on Muslim-friendly tourism between 2011 and 2021. Moreover, this research aims to contribute detailed information and suggestions to researchers interested in working in this field, thus making a valuable contribution to the literature. In this research, document analysis is utilized as the primary method of data collection. The findings indicate that the concept of Muslim-friendly tourism is still evolving, and there are relatively few qualitative and quantitative studies available under this topic. Furthermore, the quality and rigor of existing studies vary significantly, with some relying on subjective and anecdotal evidence rather than robust empirical data. Despite these limitations, the existing research demonstrates that Muslim-friendly tourism can make significant contributions to the tourism industry by offering services tailored to the unique needs and preferences of Muslim travelers. Therefore, this research provides a comprehensive analysis of existing research, emphasizes the current state of Muslim-friendly tourism research, and fills an important gap by offering practical recommendations to stakeholders for enhancing and promoting Muslim-friendly tourism initiative.