Shafaqna English- The Philippines is accelerating efforts to become a leading halal tourism destination in Asia, introducing Muslim-friendly services and infrastructure aimed at tapping into the global halal travel market estimated at more than $200 billion, according to Iqna.
The Philippine government is strengthening its Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem through the expansion of halal-certified dining, accommodation, prayer facilities and specialized tourism services across the country.
According to the Department of Tourism (DoT), the Philippines ranked eighth among non-OIC destinations in the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index by Mastercard-CrescentRating, reflecting growing international recognition of its halal tourism initiatives.
As part of the program, 67 accommodation establishments nationwide have been recognized under the DoT’s Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment (MFAE) scheme. Meanwhile, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts has become the first hotel group in the country to secure full MFAE recognition across all of its properties.
The government has also invested in workforce development, with around 3,000 tourism professionals and stakeholders receiving training in halal and Muslim-friendly hospitality practices, cultural awareness and customer service.
Major tourist destinations including Boracay, Cebu, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro and Metro Manila are expanding facilities tailored to Muslim travelers. In Boracay, authorities are developing Marhaba Boracay, an 800-square-meter beachfront area designed specifically for Muslim families.
Beyond domestic initiatives, the Philippines is deepening tourism cooperation with neighboring Muslim-majority countries—Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia—through the BIMP-EAGA regional partnership framework.
The DoT said ongoing promotional campaigns highlighting halal cuisine, Islamic heritage and Muslim-friendly travel experiences, combined with improved transport connectivity to key destinations such as Manila, Cebu and Clark, are expected to further boost arrivals from Muslim travel markets in the coming years.
Source: Iqna