MANILA: New awards at this year’s Halal in Travel Global Summit are expected to encourage Philippine industry players to better cater to Muslim tourists and those from Middle Eastern countries, tourism officials said Saturday.
The Philippines was recognized as an emerging non-Organization of Islamic Cooperation Muslim-friendly travel destination at the Mastercard CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index Summit held in Singapore on May 30.
The index is an annual report that benchmarks destinations in the Muslim travel market.
“Being recognized by the world’s leading halal travel authority is undoubtedly a great boon for the Philippines,” Tourism Undersecretary Mila Paz Abubakar told Arab News.
“This will undoubtedly energize our tourism stakeholders, inspire our partners, and ensure that the Philippines emerges as a preferred travel destination for Muslims, including those from the Middle East.”
She said the award was also in recognition of the country’s efforts to cater to the needs of Muslims.
The Philippines also won the Emerging Muslim-Friendly Destination award at the Halal in Travel Global Summit in 2023 and has since stepped up efforts to attract tourists from the Middle East and neighboring Muslim-majority countries of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, particularly by ensuring Muslim tourists have access to halal products and services.
The Catholic-majority country, where Muslims make up about 10 percent of its population of about 120 million, has welcomed more than 2 million international tourists since the start of the year, including a 10 percent increase in visitors from Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, key emerging market targets for the Philippine government.
Earlier this month, the Department of Tourism led a delegation to Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market to promote the country’s top tourist destinations and also signed a deal with one of the Philippines’ largest hotel chains to convert its properties into Muslim and halal-friendly establishments.
“As a country known for its warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural attractions, meeting the needs of Muslim travellers through the development of halal tourism is crucial to strengthening our competitiveness in the global tourism market,” Tourism Minister Cristina Frasco said in a statement welcoming the Emerging Muslim-Friendly Destination award.
“Adapting to the changing needs of Muslim travelers by offering halal-friendly accommodation, dining options, prayer facilities and other services not only enhances the overall visitor experience, but also demonstrates our respect for diverse cultures and religious practices.”
