The Department of Tourism and the local government of Malay unveiled the Marhaba Boracay, the first Muslim-friendly cove in the country on Tuesday.
According to a statement on Tuesday, the initiative aligns with the DOT’s goal to promote Muslim-friendly tourism in the country and with the country’s recognition as an Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination among non-OIC countries.
“It is patterned from other existing Muslim-friendly beaches in tourism destinations such as the Maldives and Thailand, and envisioned to be a special-use area for Muslim travelers and families, taking into consideration Islamic laws,” the statement read.
The DOT and Malay LGU were joined by the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines His Excellency (H.E.) Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) officials, Global Estate Resorts Inc. President Monica Salomon, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHR) officials, Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA) President Michelle Taylan, and Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Philippines (HICCIP) President Alexander Sultan, and other tourism stakeholders.
In September 2023, the DOT said they were aiming to entice more Muslim tourists in the country after having recorded 223,345 tourists entering the country from the residents of the Islamic Majority and Organization of the Islamic Cooperation in 2023.
“Kung titingnan natin, napakadami sa Mindanao na tourist sites lalo na kapag pinag-uusapan natin ang mga BARMM provinces, sa Basilan, Tawi-tawi,” said Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa Abubakar at a public briefing on Thursday.
(There are so many tourist sites in Mindanao, especially when we talk about the BARMM provinces such as Basilan and Tawi-tawi.)
“Hinahanda din po natin ang Manila, Clark at Cebu para maging Muslim-friendly na po,” she added.
(We are also preparing Manila, Clark, and Cebu to become Muslim-friendly.)
Marhaba Boracay is located at Boracay Newcoast.
— LA, GMA Integrated News
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