Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed the government’s support for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as a rising Muslim-friendly destination.
Speaking at the opening of the BARMM Tourism Summit 2025 on Tuesday, Frasco said the DOT is dedicated to working with the people and government of Bangsamoro, as well as local stakeholders, to make the region a leader in Philippine tourism.
“We look forward to transforming BARMM into a domestic tourism hub that brings Filipinos closer to their Muslim and indigenous heritage, as well as into an international destination of choice, especially for Muslim travelers,” Frasco said, adding that the goal is to make the region a “driver of inclusive economic growth that creates jobs, sustains enterprises, and empowers families across the region.”
Frasco described BARMM as being “ready for tourism, progress and prosperity,” noting its potential to attract both domestic and international visitors, particularly from Muslim-majority nations, through its landscapes, mosques, textiles and cuisine.
She cited the Philippines’ recognition as an Emerging and Rising Muslim-Friendly Destination in the MasterCard Crescent Rating Global Tourism Index, and said BARMM is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth.
Frasco also announced several ongoing DOT initiatives in the region, including the establishment of Tourist Rest Areas (TRAs) in Tawi-Tawi and Lanao del Sur, the signing of a memorandum circular on Halal and Muslim-friendly tourism and the rollout of the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) program for tourism frontliners in BARMM.
She said Mindanaoan cuisine is being promoted at the United Nations (UN) Tourism Gastronomy Forum.
The tourism chief lauded the launch of the Bangsamoro Tourism Development Plan 2024–2033, noting that it aligns with the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023–2028 of the Marcos Administration.
“Our mission is clear: to reintroduce the Philippines to the world from the strength of our culture and our pride as Filipinos,” she said.
The three-day summit served as the official platform for the development plan’s launch and also included the unveiling of the Bangsamoro Heritage Pavilion and discussions on cultural identity, peace through tourism, and ecotourism.
The event was attended by Bangsamoro officials, local leaders, diplomats and private sector executives.
“It is our collective duty as Filipinos to tell the full story of BARMM… with clarity, confidence, and respect, so that more Filipinos can take pride in their heritage, and more visitors can discover the richness and the beauty of who we are as a nation,” Frasco said.
