Philippines to open Muslim-dedicated beach in September

An island in Central Philippines is set to open a special beach dedicated to Muslim travellers this month, a government official said. 

Boracay is set to open a special beach in a move to become a more inclusive travel destination, a department of tourism (DOT) official said last Friday.

The private cove for Muslim women inside the Boracay Newcoast will launch on September 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, Philippine News Agency reported. 

The Boracay Newcoast is in the northeastern part of the island that houses the Savoy, a hotel that recently secured a halal kitchen certification.

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.

The tourism department also laid plans to improve the training of frontline tourism workers through halal modules developed by the department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“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,” tourism secretary Christina Frasco said.

The Philippines has been recognized as an emerging Muslim-friendly destination (non-OIC country) by Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index for two consecutive years.