Singapore, which The Economist ranked as the world’s second-richest country by GDP per capita in 2025, placed 11th overall and topped all non-Islamic destinations in Mastercard and CrescentRating’s Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), released on June 18, The Business Times reported.
The annual study assessed 150 destinations that account for more than 98% of Muslim visitor arrivals worldwide. It found that AI is playing an increasingly important role in travel decisions, with around 80% of Muslim travelers using AI-powered tools to search for destinations, compare options and plan experiences.
“As AI becomes more embedded in travel planning, destinations and businesses need to make trusted information, secure payments and Muslim-friendly services easier to discover and act on,” Aisha Islam, senior vice-president of Mastercard’s Southeast Asia customer solutions center, said.
View of Singapore’s skyline featuring the famous Merlion fountain. Photo from Pexels
The findings reflect a broader shift toward AI-assisted travel planning. A March survey by travel platform Klook found that 91% of travelers worldwide use AI travel planners to help choose destinations, build itineraries and find travel deals.
Despite growing adoption, trust remains a challenge. A Booking.com survey found that 91% of respondents still have concerns about AI, while only 35% fully trust its recommendations, as reported by CNBC.
One of the biggest concerns s accuracy. AI systems can generate so-called hallucinations, producing false or misleading information that appears credible. Travel experts say such errors can lead to inaccurate itineraries, flawed route recommendations and other costly mistakes.
Industry observers also warn that AI could influence tourism flows in unintended ways. Smaller hotels and destinations with limited online visibility may struggle to appear in AI-generated recommendations, while already popular attractions could face greater overcrowding as AI tools often prioritize well-known locations.
Experts nevertheless expect AI travel planners to become more reliable as businesses improve data sharing and digital integration. Greater access to real-time information could reduce inaccuracies, improve recommendations and strengthen AI’s role in travel planning in the years ahead.
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Communications, September 22, 2021
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