Philippines among "rising Muslim-friendly destinations"

The Philippines was recognized as among the countries proven to be welcoming to Muslim travelers across the globe, declared a report that rates countries according to its Muslim-friendly tourism policies and programs.

This year, the Philippines climbed to 8th place—up from 12th in 2024—in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025’s list of top 20 non-Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations by Mastercard and CrescentRating.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed the Philippines’ improved ranking, saying: “This recognition for the Philippines by the Global Muslim Travel Index 2025 affirms our steady commitment to introduce the Philippines as a halal and Muslim-friendly destination, as well as transforming our leading and emerging tourist spots to become those that practice inclusivity and diversity regardless of race and faith. With a country such as the Philippines that is known for its warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural attractions, introducing halal and Muslim-friendly tourism has been crucial in our work at the Department of Tourism.”

“By prioritizing halal and Muslim-friendly tourism, we not only demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity but also open up opportunities to attract more Muslim travelers from around the world, while expanding markets for our tourism stakeholders and creating more livelihood and employment for our fellow Filipinos,” she added.

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In the foreword for the GMTI 2025, CrescentRating and HalalTrip Chief Executive Officer Fazal Bahardeen said the “significant strides in embracing the Muslim travel market” exerted by destinations beyond the OIC was “encouraging.” “The remarkable progress of destinations like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines, driven by proactive government strategies, showcases a genuine commitment to building inclusive and welcoming tourism ecosystems,” he noted.

“The Philippines is steadily positioning itself as a Muslim-friendly destination by strengthening its capacity to welcome Muslim travelers. Efforts focus on improving accessibility to Halal food and integrating Muslim-friendly features at key tourist sites,” according to the report published online last June 12, 2025.

The Philippines received a GMTI 2025 score of 53, up by six points from the GMTI 2024 score of 47. In 2023 and 2024, the Halal in Travel Awards, which also honors countries in the GMTI rankings, recognized the Philippines as the Emerging Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year (Non-OIC).

According to the report, “international Muslim arrivals reached 176 million in 2024 – up 25% from 2023 – and are projected to grow to 245 million by 2030. By then, total travel spending is expected to reach USD$ 230 billion, highlighting the growing influence and economic potential of this vibrant market.”

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Under the leadership of Secretary Frasco, the DOT actively promoted halal and Muslim-friendly tourism, as it sought to diversify the country’s tourism product portfolio under in its National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028. With this, it issued Memorandum Circular 2024-003 or the Amended Guidelines Governing the Operations and Recognition of Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments in April 2024.

The DOT has strategically expanded its Halal and Muslim-friendly Tourism portfolio by introducing Halal-certified dining options, recognizing Muslim-friendly establishments across various tourism establishments, and hosting awareness orientations for tourism stakeholders. Together with stakeholders, it also launched various programs such as SALAAM: The Halal Tourism and Trade Expo, and Marhaba Boracay, a first-of-its-kind Muslim-friendly cove for Muslim families and travelers in the world-famous Boracay Island.

Following a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the DOT and Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, all 13 properties of the hotel group were officially recognized as 100% Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments (MFAE), making it the first hotel group in the Philippines to achieve this milestone in record time.

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts has been named as “Muslim-Friendly Chain of the Year” at the Halal in Travel Awards held on Thursday (June 12) in Singapore. In addition, the GMTI 2025 acknowledged such effort, saying the “group has implemented various facilities and services tailored to meet the needs of Muslim travelers.”

“These include Qibla direction markers in guest rooms, the availability of prayer rugs upon request, water-friendly toilets, and a list of nearby mosques,” said the annual report. It added that some of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ properties also introduced features such as “Halal-certified breakfast menus and dedicated kitchen sections that are also Halal-certified by the local Halal certification body to ensure strict adherence to dietary requirements, a designated public prayer space with separate areas for male and female use to maintain privacy, and a gender-separated spa facility that takes note of modesty and wellness needs.”