Unveiling freedom: Muslim women tourists in the West
Travel is often about breaking free. In this spirit, according to Ahmed Abdel Fattah, Western destinations offer veiled Muslim women tourists a unique chance to explore who they are, challenge the norms of their own societies, and experience a refreshing sense of freedom.
Thanks to “Good Tourism” Insight Partner Tourism’s Horizon: Travel for the Millions for inviting Dr Abdel Fattah to write this “Good Tourism” Insight. (You can write one too.)
A world of freedom and choice
Imagine stepping into a place where the usual rules don’t apply. That’s what travelling to Western countries may feel like for veiled Muslim women tourists. It can be an opportunity to lift the weight of cultural expectations, even if just for a short time.
When these women travel, they may experiment with their outfits in ways they wouldn’t dare back home. It may not be just about trying on new clothes; it can be about the empowerment that comes from having freedom and choice.
Muslim women tourists in the West may feel liberated to express themselves without fear of judgment. Being in a new place may allow them to explore new styles, shed the constraints of their everyday lives, and feel alive.
This freedom may not be just a fleeting feeling; it can be a powerful declaration against the stereotypes that often surround Muslim women. By stepping outside their usual norms, they may be able to reclaim their identity and express themselves authentically.
The power of anonymity to resist norms
Anonymity can play an important role in this experience. In Western cities, where nobody knows them, veiled Muslim women tourists can shed the expectations tied to their hijabs.
The feeling of being unknown can be incredibly liberating. Muslim women tourists may be able to try new things without worrying about being judged. Their newfound sense of freedom can let them enjoy activities they might avoid back home; like late-night adventures or spontaneous dance parties. It’s a chance to feel adventurous and youthful again.
But it may not be just about different clothes and activities. It can also be about pushing back against the norms that often hold Muslim women back. Muslim women tourists may use their travel experiences to challenge societal expectations. This mix of freedom and resistance may highlight the different layers of identity they carry.
Lingering challenges
Of course, it’s not easy. The freedom Muslim women may feel abroad may not erase the challenges they face at home. While Muslim women may embrace new styles and behaviours on vacation, they still deal with the weight of their cultural backgrounds.
Even in a foreign city, Muslim women tourists may worry about running into acquaintances from home who may judge them and critique their choices. Therefore, concerns about being judged by their communities can linger during their holiday, creating a tension that may dampen their holiday mood and spirit of freedom.
Journeys of self-discovery
Ultimately, travel & tourism may provide veiled Muslim women with a unique platform to explore who they are and challenge societal norms. It may allow them to express themselves more freely than they often can at home.
While Muslim women tourists may encounter pushback from their communities at home, nevertheless their experiences in Western destinations can empower them in ways that can lead to personal growth and social change.
But here are questions to ponder:
If Muslim women keep travelling to Western destinations, can they import into their daily lives at least some of the choices they made during their holidays?
When they go back home, will they be able to maintain at least some sense of the freedom and self-expression gained during their holiday, or will the weight of societal expectations pull them back?
So, the next time you see a veiled Muslim woman enjoying her vacation in your city, remember: she may be navigating a complex path of empowerment and self-discovery.
Research note
At date of posting this “GT” Insight, Dr Abdel Fattah had a journal article on this topic under peer review. Linked here is his research note.
“[T]here remains a significant research gap in examining the travel experiences and behaviours of veiled female Muslim tourists who visit Western destinations. This is surprising considering the significant market potential presented by Muslim women who travel to Western destinations and their patterns of consumption.”
Update: Article published
Update, January 6, 2025: Dr Abdel Fattah’s journal article has been published by Springer Nature at “Liminal spaces of empowerment: veiled Muslim female tourists negotiate norms and Islamic attire by enjoying leisure without societal expectations”.
“The findings show that tourism provides a space where veiled female Muslim tourists can resist oppressive gender roles, thereby empowering themselves.”
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About the author
Ahmed Abdel Fattah is a lecturer at Macao University of Tourism (UTM), where he teaches qualitative research methods, tourism management, and heritage courses. Dr Abdel Fattah received his PhD from Lincoln University in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Ahmed provides training lectures on heritage and special interest tourism products for the UTM Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training, in collaboration with The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Ahmed has practical experience in the hotel and tourism industry, as well as in heritage tourism, across Egypt, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. He has also served as an overseas program coordinator for The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) in Lebanon and France. Previously, he taught at various educational institutions in the United States and New Zealand.
Ahmed has a broad range of research interests, with a current focus on religious tourism, established and emerging qualitative research methods in tourism studies, cultural heritage interpretation, visitor management, and post-colonialism.
Featured image (top of post)
Image by Carl Tronders (CC0) via Unsplash. “GT” cropped it, tweaked colours, and added “New horizons”.
