THE Philippines is developing halal-friendly offerings in Boracay to lure in more Muslims tourists in one of the country’s top destinations, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said yesterday.
The country intends to tap into the billion-dollar Halal tourism industry, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said, underscoring the growing demand for Muslim-friendly activities and amenities.
“We are now in talks with Boracay local government and DOT to respond to the request of our ambassadors to offer Halal-friendly tourism in Boracay,” she told reporters in a chance interview in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.
“Ang layunin po natin is to fully open up Mindanao to halal tourism… and second, to expand our halal and Muslsim-friendly offerings all over the country para naman ‘yung destinations natin ay mag-o-offer nito,” she said.
The DOT has also signed a deal with a major property development firm to convert all their establishments into Muslim-friendly destinations, she said.
The halal industry is expected to have an estimated market value of over $300 billion by 2030, according to data from the American Halal Foundation.
Halal tourism refers to travel services and facilities that cater to the needs of Muslim travelers, including halal food, prayer facilities, alcohol-free environments and modest clothing options.
“This Muslim-friendly, halal tourism is a portfolio that we wish to grow especially with our visitors from Brunei, in the region, as well as the Middle East,” Frasco said.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel earlier said that the Philippines is seeking help from Brunei to find ways to earn more halal certifications in the agriculture and food industry.
The Philippines ranked seventh in the Global Tourism Index’s list of emerging Muslim-friendly destinations among non-Islamic countries. (ABS-CBN News)
