Philippines eyes Muslim travel market as arrivals surge
MANILA, Philippines (MNTV) – The Philippines is stepping up efforts to attract Muslim tourists, aiming to tap into the rapidly expanding global halal travel market projected to reach $225 billion by 2028, reports Bilyonaryo.
In 2023, the country welcomed more than 613,000 visitors from Muslim-majority nations—a 24% increase from the previous year.
“Markets like Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are showing strong and sustained growth,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said, adding that this reflects the Philippines’ growing appeal as a culturally inclusive and welcoming destination.
To build on this momentum, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is enhancing efforts to tailor experiences for Muslim travelers by promoting halal-certified establishments and culturally respectful services.
At the same time, the Philippines continues to target traditional key markets such as South Korea, with intensified promotional campaigns to sustain overall tourist arrivals.
Frasco said the government is also strengthening partnerships with both public and private stakeholders to improve air connectivity and expand access to various destinations across the country.
“These are not isolated programs,” Frasco said. “They are part of a unified effort to ensure that the Philippines is not just beautiful or fun, but authentic, respectful, and competitive on the global stage.”
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