Last February 2023 in Singapore during the Travel Global Summit, the Philippines bagged the plum as this year’s Emerging Muslim- Friendly Destination among the non-OIC countries. Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco was on hand to receive the award.
Internationally, the Halal-in-Travel body looks at 138 countries if they cater to the needs of Muslim travelers, from Access,
Communications, Environment and Services (ACES) points.
Non-OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) signifies the country’s readiness to receive Muslim travelers and provide them with the highest standard of hospitality and care.
It will open up a plethora of opportunities to introduce to the world the rich and diverse Muslim culture as well as the beautiful destinations in our local communities.
Tourism Undersecretary for Muslim Affairs Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar
said, “This comes at a great timing too as we are now aggressively promoting Mindanao. The major Philippine island with the most sizeable population of Muslim Filipinos is the cradle of the Filipino-Islamic history.”
As per the country’s selection, Usec Abubakar informed us that, “Mastercard CrescentRating, the ranking body behind the Global Muslim Travel Index, ranked 138 countries based on the ACES criteria. And this is what the Department of Tourism (DOT) is pushing for. On our end, we have the MC 2020-010 or the Guidelines Governing the Operations and Recognition of Muslim-friendly Accommodation Establishments, a tool that our tourism stakeholders can use to better serve Muslim travelers.
Usec Abubakar continued, “This includes the provision of Halal food and a list of nearby Certified Halal or Muslim Friendly Restaurants. We are continuously rolling this out to the regions. In terms of communications, we have initiatives geared towards the promotion of Halal Culinary Tourism.”
Among the contents, Usec Abubakar explains, are Bismillah before Eating, a Coffee Table Book and Hijrih Calendar highlighting the culinary offerings of Muslim Mindanao, with an accompanying video-series.
“Beyond this, we are also creating a travelogue for Muslim Travelers, a
suggestion of CrescentRating to improve our rank.”
To increase catering to Muslim travelers and communities as well; a wholly tourism-government approach include efforts to improve facilities like prayer rooms in major airports, alongside with the peace and security measures by the DOT hand-in-hand with the Department of National Defense (DND).
A practicing Muslim married to a Muslim, Usec Abubakar said she was born and raised in Zamboanga which is home to her family and fellow Muslims. She said, she and hubby lived for a decade in Sulu; ergo she knows the ethics, customs, traditions and everything about Islam like the back of her hand. Usec Abubakar informed us there are about 827 masjids around the country excluding those in Davao region and BARMM (Bangsamoro Region of Muslim Mindanao). The BARMM region of Muslim Mindanao is a prime destination for Muslim travelers.
Among the DOT’s plans to hike Muslim travelers’ influx onward is to hold a Halal Expo in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) this December, which will be more of a tourism and cultural fair than trade fair. “We also hold small events within the office like Halal Food Fest for Eid’l Fitr and Quiz Bee for Eid’l Adha.”
The DOT has commenced some peace-keeping measures together with the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) and DND called the
Mindanao Convergence Program, which ensures the peace and order in
Mindanao to guarantee the island’s readiness for wide scale tourism
promotion. Part of our efforts is that we progressively hold Awareness
Seminars on Halal as we continuously roll-out MC 2020-010 to other regions.
Like we can hear the Muslims chant “Allahu Akbar!” to the grand efforts of the DOT to help establish a firm bond of understanding between Christians and Muslims. Now all can say, Bismillah, Alhamdullilah!
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