The global halal market is one of the biggest in the world. A great global market force to say the least. From meat & poultry, food manufacturing, logistics & shipping, Islamic Banking & Finance and personal care products, the halal market is exponentially expanding parameters.
Halal is an Arabic term which literally means permissible. It also refers to a set of Islamic rules of what is considered permissible and forbidden.
As the gateway to Mindanao, Davao City has the biggest number of Muslim communities in the region. Thus, the halal market is one particular market that needs to be addressed. Although certain measures and policies are already in place, there is still a big void to fill in.
To address, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 11 held a two-day Halal Hari Raya Open House last 19 – 20 June 2019 at Hijo Resorts in Tagum City. As a respectable player in the halal ecosystem, DOT XI aims to cultivate the essence of halal in the tourism value chain, not only by awareness, but by enhancing the skills of its stakeholders.
The two-day event follows the mandate, as provided under Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009, which states the development of tourism programs that encourages more arrivals to the region while ensuring sustainability as well as social and cultural awareness.
More so, the event was designed as a training and awareness for tour operators in creating packages that shall highlight the available Muslim-friendly services in Region XI.
“I am pleased to inform you that Tourism has been identified as Philippines’ export,” DOT XI Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan shared. The services, she added offered within the country is targeted to foreign Muslim and Non-Muslim visitors.
Republic Act 10817 or the Philippine Halal and Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016 recognizes the significant role of exports to national economic development, and the potential contribution of Halal industries, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the growth and ensure the integrity and quality of Philippine Halal exports.
The global Halal market and Halal tourism has been estimated at $177-B and is exponentially expected to grow (by as much as $273-B in 2023). This, as Rabat said, is a great opportunity to tap.
As a member of the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board, DOT continues to be a prime mover in delivering strategies and policies laid down by the Halal Board. This, as Rabat emphasized, develops and promotes tourism as [the country’s] mechanism to strengthen [our] Halal industry.
Rabat explained that there are many opportunities in Mindanao that can be seized. Business opportunities, she said, that are halal friendly for everyone to enjoy.
The event featured activities and a display of halal dishes. Datu Shariff Pendatun discussed on Halal and the Mindanao Cuisines and gave a cooking demo on the coconut cuisines of Muslim Mindanao while DTI Assistant Director Anthony Rivera talked about the Philippines Halal Export Program and Halal Market Opportunities. Ahmed Datukan of MinDa then discussed Bridging the Gap: Mindanao Halal Ecosystem Development.
Aside from tour operators and partners from tourism related establishments (TREs) and guests from the local government units (LGUs), present also during the event were Alim Muhammad Pasigan (Grand Mufti Davao Region), Sheikh Abu Muhannad Al-Kholaqi (Mercy Islamic Foundation President), Sedick Murod (Jamjoom Mosque Administrator), Commissioner Samer Musa Along (NCMF), Alim Jamal Munib (Davao City Madrasah Program Executive Director), Tagum City mayor Allan Rellon and San Isidro, Davao Oriental mayor Justina Yu.
The two-day Halal Hari Raya Open House was in cooperation with Hijo Resorts, TinHat Boutique Hotel and Restaurant, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), MinDa, The Mensahe TV International and other Tourism Related Establishments (TREs).
