Philippines Taps $200 Billion Halal Travel Market with New Muslim-Friendly Initiatives
The country was recently ranked eighth among non-OIC destinations in the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index by Mastercard-CrescentRating, reflecting growing recognition of its halal and Muslim-friendly tourism initiatives.
The Department of Tourism (DoT) said Muslim-friendly travel experiences across the country now include a growing number of halal-certified restaurants, accommodation options, prayer facilities and tourism services designed to support Muslim travelers.
To date, 67 accommodation establishments nationwide have received recognition under the DoT’s Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment (MFAE) program. Megaworld Hotels & Resorts has also become the first hotel group in the country to achieve full MFAE recognition across all its properties.
The DoT said approximately 3,000 tourism frontliners and stakeholders have undergone halal and Muslim-friendly tourism training programs focused on cultural understanding and service delivery.
Destinations including Boracay, Cebu, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro and Metro Manila continue to expand Muslim-friendly tourism offerings. In Boracay, initiatives include the development of Marhaba Boracay, an 800m² beach cove designed for Muslim families.
The Philippines is also strengthening tourism ties with neighboring Muslim-majority countries including Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia under the BIMP-EAGA regional framework.
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Alongside infrastructure development, the DoT continues to promote the country through targeted campaigns and the Muslim-Friendly Travelogue of the Philippines series, highlighting halal dining, cultural heritage and tourism experiences across the archipelago.
The tourism department stated improved international and domestic connectivity is supporting easier access to destinations including Manila, Cebu and Clark, allowing Muslim travelers to explore multiple regions across the country.
Source: ttgasia.com
