MANILA – Boracay is set to open a special beach dedicated to Muslim travelers in its push to become a more inclusive travel destination, a Department of Tourism (DOT) official said Friday.

The private cove for Muslim women inside the Boracay Newcoast will be launched on Sept. 10.

“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 on the sidelines of the Philippine-Malaysia Art Expo opening in Makati City.

The initiative was a suggestion by foreign diplomats based in the Philippines, including the ambassadors of Malaysia and Brunei.

“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 said.

“When we opened the idea to the mayor of Aklan, he said he will find an area and it’s a good timing because Megaworld has a coast area doon na pwedeng gawing private cove for Muslim women (there that we can turn as a private cove for Muslim women)."

The Boracay Newcoast is in the northeastern portion of the world-famed island and also houses the Savoy, one of the Philippine hotels that recently secured a Halal kitchen certification.

“President Bongbong Marcos mentioned during the State of the Nation Address about halal and Islamic tradition, so we’re pushing for that and the Secretary as well is also pushing for more Halal offerings that we can do in the Philippines,” Valderrosa-Abubakar said.

Science-based training

Making the Philippines Muslim-friendly is among the current thrusts of the DOT to diversify its tourism products based on the National Tourism Development Plan for 2023-2028.

In addition to expanding destinations, the DOT also laid plans to improve the training of frontline tourism workers through the halal modules developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“[W]ith 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,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said.

“Through our partnership with the DOST, we will leverage Science, Technology, and innovation to enhance the Philippine tourism experience," she said.

The Philippines has been recognized as an Emerging Muslim-Friendly Destination (non-OIC country) by Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index for two consecutive years. (PNA)