In an effort to become a more welcoming vacation destination, Boracay is going to offer a beach just for Muslim visitors, a Department of Tourism (DOT) official announced. Beginning September 10, a secluded cove inside the Boracay Newcoast will open to Muslim women.
The ambassadors of Malaysia and Brunei, among other foreign diplomats stationed in the Philippines, made recommendations that have led to this development. They made the argument that since most beaches in Boracay lack these amenities, Muslim women could feel better at ease swimming in a private area.
Making Boracay Muslim-friendly
The real estate company Megaworld will turn the Boracay Newcoast Zone, located at the northeastern region of the island, into a private beach exclusive for Muslim women.??
Additionally, it is home to the Savoy Hotel, one of the few institutions in the nation to be officially recognized as having a Halal cooking certification.
“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,” DOT Undersecretary for Muslim Affairs Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar said.
Long-standing effort
The Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) halal modules will be used by the DOT to enhance the training of front-line tourism workers and expand destinations.
One of the DOT's current initiatives to diversify its tourism offerings is to make the Philippines more Muslim-friendly. This is in line with the National Tourism Development Plan for 2023–2028.
The Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index has recognized the Philippines as an Emerging Muslim-Friendly Destination for the last two years.
