Boracay Island is set to cater to Muslim travelers with the opening of a private beach cove exclusively for Muslim women.
The initiative is part of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) efforts to make the Philippines a more inclusive travel destination.
The exclusive cove, located within the Boracay Newcoast development, will officially launch on September 10. This move was inspired by suggestions from foreign diplomats, including the ambassadors of Malaysia and Brunei.
“Some Muslims can swim in public but other Muslims will prefer swimming in this (private area). And I’m sure those Muslims swimming in public, if they have a choice, (would also prefer that) because at present they don’t have a choice,” said DOT Undersecretary for Muslim Affairs Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar.
“They [previously] had a meeting in Boracay and they mentioned to the mayor na sana merong private area sa Boracay (that hopefully there could be a private area for Muslims in Boracay),” she added.
On the other hand, Valderrosa-Abubakar said that the mayor of Aklan enthusiastically supported the idea, identifying a suitable area within the Megaworld-owned Boracay Newcoast. This development also houses the Savoy Hotel, one of the first Philippine hotels to obtain Halal kitchen certification.
The DOT’s commitment to making the Philippines Muslim-friendly aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos’ emphasis on halal tourism in his State of the Nation Address.
To further improve the Philippines’ appeal to Muslim travelers, the DOT is focusing on training frontline tourism workers. In collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the DOT has developed specialized halal training modules.
“With the introduction of this training module developed by the DOST, we see great benefit upon our accommodation enterprises and other tourism enterprises so that we can transform the Philippines into one of the most competitive Halal and Muslim-friendly destinations,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.
By investing in science and technology, the Philippines aims to elevate its tourism offerings and attract a wider range of visitors.
“Through our partnership with the DOST, we will leverage Science, Technology, and innovation to enhance the Philippine tourism experience,” she continued.
