INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025
during travel and the perception that external conditions support such compliance. For instance, the availability
of halal food, accessible prayer rooms, reliable transport systems, culturally sensitive service providers, and an
overall environment that aligns with Islamic principles all contribute to perceived control (Harun et al., 2024).
High PBC strengthens the belief that travel can be successfully executed without compromising religious
commitments, whereas low PBC may create doubts or hesitation, reducing the likelihood of intention formation
(Sun, 2020). Thus, PBC becomes the most important TPB element in Islamic tourism decision-making since it
is the primary mechanism that converts intention from desire into active readiness (Adel et al., 2021). Through
the lens of PBC, TPB offers a solid basis for comprehending Muslim travelers' faith-aligned travel intents by
emphasizing both internal confidence and external facilitation.
Understanding Perceived Behavioral Control in TPB
Perceived behavioral control (PBC) refers to the extent to which individuals believe they have the capability to
perform a specific behavior, reflecting their perception of control over the behavior in question (Hagger et al.,
2022). Unlike attitude and subjective norms, which reflect desire and social influence, PBC directly addresses
the individual’s sense of ability, manageability, and feasibility, making it a more action-oriented predictor in the
intention process (Ajzen, 2020). This construct encompasses both internal factors, such as personal skills,
knowledge, experience, and self-confidence, as well as external factors, including the availability of resources,
supportive environments, and situational opportunities. According to Ajzen (1991), PBC significantly influences
behavioral intentions because individuals are more likely to intend to perform behaviors they perceive as within
their ability to accomplish (Sujood et al., 2022). In other words, even if individuals want to perform a behavior
(attitude) and feel expected to perform it (subjective norm), intention will remain weak if they feel they lack
control.
In the context of tourism research, PBC is particularly valuable in explaining how travelers evaluate their
capacity to plan, organize, and execute travel activities, navigate potential challenges, and successfully complete
the tasks associated with their intended trip (Chen et al., 2023). However, the role of PBC becomes even more
pronounced in Islamic tourism, where the ability to maintain religious obligations during travel is a central
concern. Travelers may hold positive attitudes toward Islamic tourism or feel socially encouraged to travel, but
their intention will be strongly shaped by whether they believe they can manage their faith-related requirements
during the trip (Asnawai & Sihombing et al., 2021). This elevates PBC from a supporting factor to a primary,
dominant predictor of intention.
Azam et al. (2024) stated in the context of Islamic tourism, perceived behavioral control is a critical determinant
of whether Muslim travelers feel capable of participating in faith-aligned travel experiences. PBC reflects the
traveler’s assessment of their ability to maintain religious obligations while engaging in tourism activities. For
instance, Muslim travelers may consider whether they can reliably observe prayer times, locate halal-certified
food options, ensure modesty in dress and behavior, and avoid activities that conflict with Islamic ethical
standards (Ashton et al., 2025). These considerations make PBC not only a measure of confidence but also a
measure of religious feasibility a dimension uniquely important in Islamic tourism. The perception of control in
this setting is therefore multidimensional, shaped by both the individual’s internal competencies and the external
travel environment (Tsai, 2022). Internal factors include a traveler’s religious knowledge, familiarity with
Islamic practices in various cultural contexts, personal organizational and planning skills, and prior experience
in Shariah-compliant travel. External factors encompass access to halal restaurants, prayer facilities, gender-
sensitive accommodations, transportation systems that align with Islamic requirements, and available
information on the Islamic-friendliness of a destination. The stronger these internal and external supports are,
the more confident Muslim travelers become in their ability to execute the trip successfully, thereby increasing
PBC (Abror et al., 2025).
When Muslim travelers perceive a high level of both internal capability and external support, their perceived
behavioral control increases, enhancing their confidence in the feasibility of the trip. This strengthened PBC, in
turn, positively influences the formation of travel intentions, as travelers feel empowered to make decisions that
align with their faith without significant risk of compromise (Akter & Hasan, 2023). Perceived behavioral control
functions as a crucial psychological mechanism in Islamic tourism, bridging the gap between desire and
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