The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that more hotels will be accredited as Muslim-friendly accommodations.
In a briefing held on Thursday, 3rd July, tourism undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar announced that Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR) properties are now undergoing inspection to secure the same certification.
The development comes after RHR and the DOT signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance the country’s appeal as a premier Muslim-friendly tourism destination.
The partnership focuses on expanding halal tourism offerings and increasing Muslim-friendly accommodations across the Philippines, in line with the Philippine government’s Halal Tourism and Muslim-friendly Tourism Roadmap.
As Valderrosa-Abubakar put it: “It is very important that we show our Muslim brothers and sisters that the Philippines is actually ready to welcome all of them to come to the Philippines. We’ve noted that the first thing they need are immediately available accommodations that are Muslim-friendly and offer compliant food options.”
She added the DOT is also coming up with a memorandum circular that would certify Muslim-friendly restaurants across the Philippines.
An increasingly popular destination for Muslim tourists
Of the total 5,949,350 international visitors that arrived in the Philippines in 2024, at least 10.3 percent were from Muslim-populated countries, up by 23.7 percent from the previous year.
The Philippines rose by three spots to rank eighth in the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI)’s top 20 Muslim-friendly destinations among non-Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) members, receiving a score of 53 this year, up by six points from last year's 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).
