Officials of the Department of Tourism (DoT) presented the Philippine Halal Tourism Project last week to officials and representatives of various travel and tour operators in Dubai and the Northern Emirates on Sunday evening.
According to a report written by Maricar Jara of the The Gulf Today, the delegation was headed by DoT assistant secretary for tourism regulation/coordination/resource generation Arturo Boncato Jr.
A new video clip of “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” featuring world-renowned Apl de Ap (born as Allan Pineda Lindo in Angeles City, Pampanga),was also launched, the report said.
“We are here to deliver the message that we are addressing the needs of the Muslim travelers,” Boncato was quoted in the report
Boncato said the DOT had seen “the rise of Muslim tourists from around the world and Secretary Ramon Jimenez said we must also serve this market through halal services and facilities.”
“As per Global Muslim Travel Index estimates there would be 168 million Muslim tourists spending over $200 billion by 2020 up from 25 million Muslim tourists with tourism receipts of $20 billion in 2000.”
“As a background, Islam has been rooted in the Philippines since the 13th century with huge concentrations in Mindanao. Currently, there are 10 million Muslim Filipinos in the Philippines, according to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).”
“DoT records showed there were 565,269 Muslim tourists to the Philippines in 2015 coming from Singapore (181,176), Malaysia (155,814), Middle East (78,480), India (74,824), Indonesia (48,178), Israel (11,756), Brunei (9,015), and Turkey (6,026).”
The report said the “halal project was proposed way back in 2013 as there had been a huge interest on the Philippines as a tourism destination from Middle East and other parts of the Arab World.”
Consequently, it said, “the NCMF issued the accreditation certificate to the Halal International Chamber of Commerce & Industries of the Philippines Inc. (HICCIPI) “as a duly accredited certifying body officially engaged in the classification and certification of certain local products as halal” on December 23, 2013.”
“On Oct. 22, 2015, the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapora “issued a statement for the recognition of the (HICCIPI),” a month after the DoT leadership met with the NCMF about the project,” it added..
The project took off in January 2016 based on three insights: “The issues on halal in the Philippines should not be tackled as a principle but it must be project-oriented; the impetus in the development of the halal industry in the country should be economic rather than cultural; and halal is not just a religious matter but also a nation’s concern.”
“The project covers the entire “halal ecosystem and tourism” that include food, travel, lifestyle and finance.”
Sixteen establishments across the country had been halal certified so far, the report added.
“These are apart from those mentioned in the DoT brochure: “Halal dining options in Metro Manila and key cities like Cebu and Davao increased significantly over the past years with many Middle Eastern, Persian, Malaysian and Indonesian options available. It is advisable to inquire about the restaurants near your hotel from the reception/concierge staff.”
“While high-end hotels and establishments have been halal certified, tourists are also recommended to try the “few Muslim-owned hotels and restaurants found in Quiapo, Manila where a big community is located, particularly “near the Manila Garden Mosque.”
Other establishments may be requested to provide halal options, it said.
Boncato expressed his hope that the new administration from June 2016 continues this project.
Meanwhile, Talent Travel & Tourism sales executive Jane Montales said the same report that “there is an increasing interest among corporate accounts to give away Philippine holiday packages as their incentives to employees who have done exemplary work and dedication.” (CHENEEN R. CAPON with reports from the The Gulf Today)
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