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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Travel devider Philippines joins the list of leading Muslim-friendly destinations

Philippines joins the list of leading Muslim-friendly destinations

How these notable trends are shaping halal travel

Published Jun 19, 2025 11:33 pm

At A Glance

  • The surge in Muslim tourist arrivals in the Philippines in 2024 highlights the growing success of the country's inclusive travel initiatives, such as expanding Halal-certified dining and accommodations. —Judith Marie Dayrit, vice president, account management, Philippines, Mastercard.
WHAT A SIGHT Dmaukom Mosque in Maguindanao stands out for its pink facade, which symbolizes peace and love.
WHAT A SIGHT Dmaukom Mosque in Maguindanao stands out for its pink facade, which symbolizes peace and love.
Halal tourism in the Philippines is showing promising results as more international Muslim travelers enter the country. Recent data from the 2025 Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) reveals that last year saw over 176 million international Muslim arrivals. By 2030, it is expected that this number will grow to over 245 million arrivals.
Another key achievement is our country’s rank rising up as the eighth most Muslim-friendly non Organization of Islamic Cooperation destination. To keep up the momentum, here are some trends listed by the GMTI that help shape halal travel and could bring the Philippines even higher in the coming years.
Muslim-friendly facilities
Prayer facilities, alcohol-free environments, and halal-certified dining options are essential in forming a Muslim-friendly destination. We already see this being applied in many of our malls, hotels, and airports. Prayer rooms are best placed in convenient and easy-to-spot locations while providing adequate space and resources, such as prayer mats, to allow for a seamless experience. A clear Qibla (a marker pointing to Mecca) should be present in the room. There should also be easy access to clean water for ablution. When dining, menus are best presented with halal-certified designators to make choosing meals easier.
Smart apps for halal journeys
Digital tools providing faith-aligned services are now readily available for Muslim travelers. Often, these apps allow the tracking of halal-certified dining areas, as well as options in meal-order apps for ordering halal dining choices. As the rise of AI continues, this opens the door for creating an AI service to assist in ensuring a Muslim-friendly travel experience.
Solo travel surge
Younger Muslim travelers are starting to embrace embarking on solo adventures. Making things easier for solo travelers can benefit even non-Muslim travelers. We can do so by prioritizing accessible public transportation, promoting destinations that highlight Islamic culture, and strengthening our local tourism sectors through diversity programs and tourism promotions.
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