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The Department of Tourism (DoT) is emphasizing the need for more halal-friendly food and services across the country to attract the growing Muslim travel market. The DoT recognizes the significant potential of halal tourism but acknowledges the need for further development in the Philippines. Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco highlighted the importance of embracing the country’s heritage, promoting its culture, and including Mindanao, the region with a majority Muslim population, in the future of halal tourism.
The global Muslim travel market reached 160 million travelers in 2019, and it is projected to recover to pre-pandemic levels by 2024. By 2028, Muslim travelers are estimated to spend around $225 billion, according to the 2022 Global Muslim Travel Index. In the Philippines, out of the 2.6 million total arrivals from February to December 2022, over 223,000 visitors came from Islamic or Muslim-populated countries.
Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar emphasized that more Muslim travelers would consider visiting the Philippines if they knew there were establishments that understood and catered to the basic principles of halal beyond just food. Currently, there are 291 halal-friendly restaurants and accommodations in the Philippines, with over half of them located in Mindanao. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) also promoted potential investments in the region during an international conference in Dubai, showcasing its natural and cultural attractions as well as business opportunities in various industries.
