The Department of Tourism (DOT) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing Muslim-friendly tourism in the Philippines, aiming to attract more Muslim travelers to the country.
This announcement was made by DoT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during the 19th Congress Committee on Appropriations hearing on the Proposed FY 2025 Budget for the DOT on August 20.
During the hearing, Frasco received commendations from members of the House of Representatives for her leadership, particularly in promoting halal tourism.
Representative Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte praised the DOT’s proactive measures under Frasco’s guidance, highlighting the significant strides made in attracting Muslim tourists from around the globe.
He noted the potential for increased tourist arrivals from the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) subregional cooperation initiative.
Under Frasco’s leadership, the DOT has introduced several initiatives to boost the country’s appeal as a halal and Muslim-friendly destination. Among these efforts was the recent release of Memorandum Circular 2020-010, which provides guidelines for the operations and recognition of Muslim-friendly accommodation establishments. This circular sets standards for accommodations, restaurants, and services to better cater to the needs of Muslim travelers.
“It all begins with improving infrastructure and services that will cater to the specific needs of the halal and Muslim-friendly traveler,” Secretary Frasco emphasized. She also shared the positive response from the private sector, noting a recent memorandum of agreement signed with Megaworld, which has committed to converting all 13 of its properties across the country to become Muslim-friendly.
The DOT’s continued focus on Muslim-friendly tourism is seen as a strategic move to position the Philippines as a top destination for Muslim travelers, contributing to the country’s broader tourism goals and economic growth.
