The Gokongwei Group's Hospitality Unit and DOT Join Forces for Muslim-Friendly Accommodations
Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR), the hospitality arm of Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), has solidified its commitment to provide Muslim-friendly accommodations and cater to the unique needs and preferences of Muslim travelers. RHR formalized its partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) held in Dubai, an ideal setting for this historic signing. Through this collaboration, the Philippines is poised to capture a larger share of the lucrative halal tourism sector, contributing significantly to national economic growth and job creation.
According to Barun Jolly, RHR Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager, this initiative "reflects our support for the DOT’s vision of inclusive travel for all."
RLC, one of the Philippines’ leading property developers, has built and developed a portfolio of 30 hotels across more than 20 locations in the country to support this initiative and elevate the travel experience for Muslim guests. "We look forward to providing ‘Hospitality by Heart’ to all travelers as they experience the Filipino brand of service excellence at all our hotels,” added Mr. Jolly.
The initiative builds on the recognition received by the Philippines as the "Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year" at the Halal in Travel Global Summit 2023. The award acknowledges destinations outside the Organization of Islamic Cooperation that have catered to the preferences of Muslim lifestyle travelers.
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In September last year, Boracay opened the Philippines’ first Muslim-only beach located inside Boracay Newcoast, the 150-hectare development of Megaworld Corp. Aiming to assist Muslim travelers, the DOT is likewise creating a three-part travel guide with key travel info, Muslim-friendly attractions, and Halal-certified Filipino dishes.
The Global Muslim Travel Index estimated the global market at $187 billion in 2022 and projects it to reach $300 billion by 2026. Recognizing this significant growth, the Philippines, inspired by Southeast Asian neighbors, Malaysia and Indonesia, is actively developing its infrastructure and services to attract Muslim travelers, according to the DOT.
The Philippines welcomed 630,000 Muslim visitors in 2024, which marked a 23 percent increase from previous year. Malaysia continues to be the leading source of these tourists, with many arriving in large family groups throughout the year. This trend indicates a growing Muslim market, with its global population projected to reach 2.3 billion by 2030.
