Family tourism has emerged as a major segment of the Islamic economy, accounting for as much as 12.5 per cent of the US$1.07 trillion global tourism market in 2012, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has stated in its latest research note based on Thomson Reuters data.
The size and potential of this market can be estimated from the fact that it is larger than the world's largest conventional tourism market, the United States, which is only 11.4 per cent of the global market. The report has been released as part of the preparations for the 10th World Islamic Economic Forum, or WIEF, which will be organised by the Dubai Chamber and the WIEF Foundation in Dubai from October 28 to 30.
"Family tourism is one of the most vibrant areas of the global tourism industry and a key element of the Islamic economy. With Muslim travellers constituting a major segment of the global tourism traffic, the priorities of families have become critical to the tourism industry's growth and have redefined the focal areas for tourism activities,” said Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, chairman of the Dubai Chamber.
"The findings of the Dubai Chamber report are of much significance in light of the ‘Dubai Capital of Islamic Economy' initiative launched in 2013, which has identified family tourism as an important pillar and a major growth area. Dubai is strategically positioned to become a centre of family tourism as it aims to become the capital of the Islamic economy and builds its tourism infrastructure to create family-oriented hospitality services and facilities in accordance with Islamic practices,” Al Ghurair added.
Highlighting the potential for the U.A.E. market, the Dubai Chamber report says the U.A.E. is ranked first on the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2013 in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, or OIC, category.
The U.A.E. is positioned high in the new emerging travel market since family values are embedded in the U.A.E. culture. In fact, the country ranked second globally based on criteria set by Crescent rating, a leading Muslim travel rating organisation based in Singapore, receiving a rating of 7.0, the report states. Saudi Arabia and Morocco also figure among the top global destinations with a rating of 6.5 and 6.4, respectively.
Meanwhile, the highest rating of 8.4 was awarded to Malaysia; this has helped the country attract over 170,000 visitors from the GCC alone in 2013. However, the report points out that unlike Malaysia, the U.A.E. is both a top source of Muslim tourists, as well as a top destination, which naturally places it in a great position to become a hub for the global family-travel segment. Notably, Middle East and North Africa states account for seven of the top 10 family tourism-friendly destinations among OIC nations.
According to the report, GCC nations contribute as much as 31 per cent to the total spending by travellers in tourism-related activities. This is despite the relatively low population in the region, which makes up just three per cent of the global Muslim population. Saudi Arabia is also one of the top source markets for family tourism, accounting for US$17.1 billion in spending in 2012, the Dubai Chamber report said. While the U.A.E. follows with spending worth US$10.1 billion, travellers from Kuwait accounted for US$7.4 billion in spending. Interestingly, the report has identified Iran as the leading source market in the Middle East with US$18.2 in spending by its travellers.
Citing recent studies related to the Islamic economy, the Dubai Chamber report shows that family tourism has grown in value from US$137 billion in 2012 to US$140 billion in 2013, and is expected to surpass US$181 billion by 2018. Driven by population growth in Islamic nations and the healthy economic performance of these economies, industry experts forecast that family tourism sector will enjoy solid growth of 4.79 per cent annually until 2020 — higher than the global average of 3.8 per cent growth — reflecting its growing significance in the Islamic economy.