For the second year running, the Philippines has secured its position as a leading destination for Muslim travelers outside the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index recognized the country for its commitment to halal tourism initiatives, highlighting the country’s dedication to building a welcoming environment for Muslim tourists through halal tourism initiatives, which include halal food options, incorporating prayer facilities at tourist spots, and educating tourism businesses about Muslim needs.
The recognition was announced at the Halal in Travel Global Summit in Singapore. Mastercard, a partner in the ranking index, highlighted the Philippines’ improvement in communication efforts to attract Muslim tourists.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco acknowledged the halal tourism as a significant growth area. The term “halal tourism” refers to travel that caters to Muslim preferences, including halal food, prayer spaces, and privacy-conscious recreation options for women. She then emphasized the Tourism department’s commitment to further expand the halal tourism.
“By prioritizing this, we not only demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity but also open up opportunities to attract more Muslim travelers from around the world, while expanding markets for our tourism stakeholders and creating more livelihood and employment for our fellow Filipinos,” she said.
The summit’s timing coincided with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to Brunei, where Secretary Frasco signed a tourism cooperation agreement to further develop halal tourism in the Philippines. This focus reflects the inclusion of halal tourism as a priority product in the National Tourism Development Plan (2023-2028), recognizing the promising future of this travel sector.
