More GCC travellers are looking for trips that make it easy to stay connected to their faith. Wego flight search data shows a clear shift: destinations that reduce visa hassle, highlight halal options, and offer prayer access are the ones moving up the wish list.
Based on Wego round-trip outbound flight searches from the GCC (2025 vs 2024), we’ve identified destinations where interest is rising fast from a solid volume of searches. These are places more Muslim travellers are now actively considering for their next trip.
The big movers
Wego data shows YoY growth is led by APAC’s new policies and airline connectivity, and by ‘bucket list’ excursions to high-cost destinations.
Ranking | Destination | YoY % Growth |
1 | Vietnam | 128% |
2 | China | 95% |
3 | Hong Kong | 51% |
4 | Iceland | 47% |
5 | Finland | 43% |
6 | Portugal | 37% |
7 | Switzerland | 22% |
8 | Norway | 21% |
9 | Netherlands | 18% |
10 | France | 17% |
Beyond the top risers, several destinations are steadily climbing in Wego searches, including New Zealand (+16%), South Africa (+15%), Singapore (+12%), Japan (+7%), Australia (+6%), and Germany (+4%).
What’s powering the surge
Wego’s findings show that recent changes in these destinations fall into three clear themes that GCC travellers are already taking into account when planning a trip.
1. Policy & access initiatives
Clearer halal standards
Vietnam’s 2024 national halal certification framework and Singapore’s long-standing MUIS certification help travellers quickly find halal food and places to stay.
Friendlier visa rules
China’s visa-free access for GCC travellers, Hong Kong’s 90-day visa-free stays for Saudis, and Japan’s e-visa system all cut paperwork and make trips easier to plan.
Active tourism push
Hong Kong’s Muslim-focused strategy, backed by its GMTI title as “Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Destination of 2025” and an increase in certified halal eateries from around 100 to about 190, aims to turn transit stops into full trips.
Official Muslim-friendly guides
Germany’s halal guide, Spain’s GCC-focused halal tourism site, and long-running Muslim visitor guides in Japan and Singapore give travellers clear, trusted planning references.
Halal-focused events
New Zealand’s 2025 Halal Expo and Economic Forum signal a broader move toward halal-friendly tourism on top of its existing halal export market.
2. Better flight options from the GCC
New nonstop and one-stop routes make more destinations realistic for family holidays and short breaks.
Vietnam: New options from Gulf hubs: Dubai to Da Nang (via Bangkok) in June 2025 and Abu Dhabi to Hanoi in November 2025.
China: Emirates added new mainland gateways (Shenzhen in July 2025 and Hangzhou in late July 2025), expanding DXB–China options.
Hong Kong: Cathay Pacific launched nonstop Hong Kong to Riyadh in October 2024, giving the GCC a direct link into HKG.
France: Air France launched Paris–Riyadh on 19 May 2025 (up to 5 times weekly in peak summer).
Italy: Saudia launched flights to Venice in June 2025 from Saudi hubs.
Australia: Virgin Australia launched its first-ever routes to the Middle East in June 2025, connecting Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth directly to Doha in partnership with Qatar Airways.
3. Unique experiences with a halal spin
For high-cost destinations, demands are enabled by one-of-a-kind appeals.
Cool escapes with a halal twist (Nordics & Switzerland)
Rising searches for Iceland, Finland, and Norway line up with a growing number of halal-branded summer “heat escape” and winter Northern Lights tours that include halal meals and built-in time for daily prayers.
Switzerland shows a similar pattern, with a clean, safe, family-friendly reputation and city hotels used to halal requests, which makes nature-focused trips easier to plan.
Halal niche adventure (South Africa & Australia)
In South Africa and Australia, more operators now sell clearly labelled halal experiences, from safari tours to coastal whale-watching with halal meals, helping long-haul travellers move from interest to booking.
Muslim-friendly infrastructure
Portugal
In Lisbon, the Central Mosque of Lisbon is a key hub for the city’s Muslim community, and the Mouraria district has halal-friendly options like Cantinho do Aziz (serves alcohol) and the fully halal Taste of Pakistan. Mosques and halal eateries are also available in Porto and the Algarve, which remain popular for coastal stays.
Netherlands
Amsterdam’s Blue Mosque (Blauwe Moskee) in Nieuw-West is a key landmark, while the 24/7 meditation room at Schiphol Airport serves travellers. Halal dining is heavily concentrated in neighborhoods like Bos en Lommer and Indische Buurt, featuring well-known spots such as the Turkish restaurant Meram and the vibrant Bazar in De Pijp (note: it serves alcohol). Beyond Amsterdam, cities like Rotterdam and The Hague have extensive, long-standing halal infrastructure.
Poland
The Warsaw Islamic Centre in Wilanów serves as the main mosque and community hub, supported by a multi-faith prayer room at Warsaw Chopin Airport. Most halal options are clustered in Śródmieście, with more spots appearing in other cities such as Krakow as Muslim visitor numbers grow.
Czechia
Prague has many halal restaurants in busy areas like Old Town and Vinohrady, including Habibi Prague. The Islamic Foundation in Prague, in Prague 9 (Kyje), hosts the main mosque, while another mosque in Brno supports travellers exploring more of the country.
France
Paris is home to the Grand Mosque of Paris in the 5th arrondissement, a major religious and cultural landmark with peaceful gardens and an on-site restaurant. Halal dining is widely available, especially around the Latin Quarter and in central areas such as Châtelet and Les Halles.
New Zealand
Auckland hosts Al Masjid Al Jamie in Ponsonby, the country’s first mosque, along with Jamia Masjid Al Mustafa in South Auckland, one of its largest.
The New Zealand Islamic Development Trust (NZIDT) certifies a growing number of halal outlets nationwide. This kind of nationwide certification supports a growing network of halal options, making it easier to plan road trips and nature-focused itineraries with trusted food stops.