Beyond the Plate: Muslim Female Solo Travel, Sanctuary, and Spiritual Sovereignty in Contemporary Halal Tourism

Kittiya Keadplang

Authors

Kittiya Keadplang Faculty of Liberal Arts, Panyapiwat Institute of Management, Thailand

Keywords:

Muslim Female Solo Travel (MFST), Halal-Authenticity Framework, Sanctuary and Spiritual Sovereignty, Faith-Integrated Autonomy, Gender-Segregated Hospitality

Abstract

The global tourism landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as Muslim Female Solo Travelers (MFSTs) emerge as a rapidly growing segment shaping contemporary travel demand. Despite their increasing economic and socio-cultural influence, dominant halal tourism models remain largely consumption-oriented, focusing primarily on dietary compliance and ritual provision. This study addresses this limitation by reconceptualizing Muslim female solo travel as a pursuit of sanctuary and spiritual sovereignty. Adopting a conceptual and interdisciplinary approach, this paper draws on literature from halal tourism, gender studies, feminist geography, and hospitality management. It proposes the Halal-Authenticity Framework, which positions halal tourism as an integrated value system based on four key dimensions: spiritual safety, gender-sensitive spatial design, faith-integrated autonomy, and emotional and psychological well-being. The analysis highlights the importance of privacy-oriented and gender-sensitive hospitality environments in enhancing perceived safety, trust, and overall travel experience. These elements are shown to influence destination preference and long-term loyalty among MFSTs. The study contributes to halal tourism scholarship by shifting the analytical focus from compliance-based services to experiential and value-based dimensions. It also provides strategic implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders, suggesting that halal authenticity can serve as a competitive advantage in developing inclusive, trust-based, and sustainable tourism systems.

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