Boracay now more inclusive with launch of Muslim-friendly beach | ABS-CBN
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Boracay now more inclusive with launch of Muslim-friendly beach
Boracay now more inclusive with launch of Muslim-friendly beach
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 11, 2024 04:37 PM PHT
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (fifth from left) leads stakeholders in the launch of the Muslim-friendly Marhaba beach in Boracay. Handout
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (fifth from left) leads stakeholders in the launch of the Muslim-friendly Marhaba beach in Boracay. Handout Boracay now has a beach dedicated to Muslim travelers, a first not just for the island but also for the entire Philippines.
Boracay now has a beach dedicated to Muslim travelers, a first not just for the island but also for the entire Philippines.
Located in the cove area of the Boracay Newcoast private beach, Marhaba is a special-use area for Muslims, taking into consideration Islamic laws.
Located in the cove area of the Boracay Newcoast private beach, Marhaba is a special-use area for Muslims, taking into consideration Islamic laws.
The cove spans around 850 square meters, and is patterned after Muslim-friendly beaches in places like Maldives and Thailand.
The cove spans around 850 square meters, and is patterned after Muslim-friendly beaches in places like Maldives and Thailand.
The new offering is an initiative by the local government unit of Malay and the Department of Tourism (DOT), in partnership with Megaworld Hotels and Resorts.
The new offering is an initiative by the local government unit of Malay and the Department of Tourism (DOT), in partnership with Megaworld Hotels and Resorts.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Marhaba represents our dedication to ensuring that all travelers, regardless of faith, can enjoy the world-renowned shores of Boracay," Tourism Secrertary Christina Garcia Frasco said in a statement. "This is modeled after other Muslim-friendly countries, our neighbors, and offers a safe, serene, and respectful environment where Muslim families can fully enjoy their time at the beach in accordance with their beliefs."
"Marhaba represents our dedication to ensuring that all travelers, regardless of faith, can enjoy the world-renowned shores of Boracay," Tourism Secrertary Christina Garcia Frasco said in a statement. "This is modeled after other Muslim-friendly countries, our neighbors, and offers a safe, serene, and respectful environment where Muslim families can fully enjoy their time at the beach in accordance with their beliefs."
"Our efforts in the Halal tourism portfolio are just beginning," she added. "And with the continued support from all of you, our partners, we envision that the Philippines will not only emerge, but thrive as a Halal and Muslim-friendly destination."
"Our efforts in the Halal tourism portfolio are just beginning," she added. "And with the continued support from all of you, our partners, we envision that the Philippines will not only emerge, but thrive as a Halal and Muslim-friendly destination."
Marhaba was unveiled following the Philippines' back-to-back recognition as Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination among non-OIC countries in the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index in 2023 and 2024.
Marhaba was unveiled following the Philippines' back-to-back recognition as Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination among non-OIC countries in the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index in 2023 and 2024.
The DOT noted that the Muslim tourism market is a booming niche segment, with visitors from Muslim-majority countries comprising 10.9% of total foreign arrivals in the Philippines last year.
The DOT noted that the Muslim tourism market is a booming niche segment, with visitors from Muslim-majority countries comprising 10.9% of total foreign arrivals in the Philippines last year.
For the first 6 months of 2024, nearly 270,000 tourists from Islamic and Muslim-populated countries visited the Philippines, or around 54% of 2023 total arrivals.
For the first 6 months of 2024, nearly 270,000 tourists from Islamic and Muslim-populated countries visited the Philippines, or around 54% of 2023 total arrivals.
ADVERTISEMENT
Addressing this segment, the DOT has also accredited 289 establishments and 237 restaurants nationwide as Muslim-friendly.
Addressing this segment, the DOT has also accredited 289 establishments and 237 restaurants nationwide as Muslim-friendly.
"I also wish to highlight that our effort to attract Muslim-friendly tourism in the Philippines is not only economic for it also seeks to highlight and give importance to the contributions of our Muslim brothers and sisters here in the Philippines," said Frasco.
"I also wish to highlight that our effort to attract Muslim-friendly tourism in the Philippines is not only economic for it also seeks to highlight and give importance to the contributions of our Muslim brothers and sisters here in the Philippines," said Frasco.
"The Islamic influence in our heritage has deepened so much our identity as Filipinos, and it is only right that we highlight the contributions of the Muslim community in the Philippines, and we give importance and provide cultural sensitivity to our Muslim brothers and sisters," she added.
"The Islamic influence in our heritage has deepened so much our identity as Filipinos, and it is only right that we highlight the contributions of the Muslim community in the Philippines, and we give importance and provide cultural sensitivity to our Muslim brothers and sisters," she added.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
