The role of religious respect in elevating Muslim travelers’ experience and satisfaction

Purpose This study aims to elucidate halal awareness and the sense of security provided by halal destination providers, to enhance Muslim travellers’ experiences and satisfaction through religious respect. Design/methodology/approach This study involves Muslim travelers who visited halal destinations in Indonesia in 2024, with a sample size of 364 respondents. Data analysis was conducted using covariance-based structural equation modeling, incorporating confirmatory factor analysis and structural model assessment to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The results demonstrate that religious respect plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between halal awareness and sense of security, and their influence on Muslim travelers’ experience and satisfaction. Specifically, halal awareness and sense of security indirectly affect experience and satisfaction through religious respect. Originality/value This study contributes to the advancement of destination image theory within the context of halal tourism by highlighting the importance of halal awareness and sense of security in shaping Muslim travelers’ experience and satisfaction. It underscores the pivotal role of religious respect as a mediator, offering a novel framework for understanding Muslim traveler behavior in halal destination settings.