Source: Arab News

Jakarta, Indonesia – Business leaders in the Philippines’ premier financial district are joining forces with national tourism authorities to transform Makati City into a comprehensive halal destination that caters to both commercial activities and Muslim travelers.

Strategic Alliance for Halal Standards

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Makati chapter has entered into a formal partnership with the Department of Tourism, signing a memorandum of agreement aimed at promoting halal certification standards throughout the city’s hospitality sector. This collaboration represents a significant step toward accommodating the growing number of Muslim visitors to the Philippines.

Nunnatus Cortez, President of PCCI Makati, emphasized that the agreement focuses on encouraging local businesses to adopt halal practices. “We’re taking concrete steps to help establishments in Makati embrace halal standards as part of our broader vision to establish the city as a halal hub,” Cortez explained.

Building on Previous Initiatives

This tourism-focused partnership builds upon earlier efforts by the chamber. In 2024, PCCI Makati signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Trade and Industry, positioning the city as a center for halal business innovation and commercial development. The latest agreement with the tourism department completes what Cortez describes as “the entire ecosystem needed to support both halal commerce and tourism.”

National Context and Recognition

The Philippines has been actively developing its halal industry as part of a broader economic strategy. The predominantly Catholic nation, where Muslims represent approximately 10% of the 120 million population, aims to attract 230 billion pesos ($4 billion) in investments and create roughly 120,000 jobs through halal sector expansion by 2028.

Recent international recognition has validated these efforts. The Philippines received acknowledgment as an emerging Muslim-friendly destination at the Halal in Travel Global Summit, building on similar recognition in previous years.

Strategic Geographic Advantages

Makati City’s position as the Philippines’ central business district provides unique advantages for halal tourism development. The area hosts the country’s highest concentration of financial institutions, multinational corporations, and foreign diplomatic missions, including embassies from numerous Muslim-majority nations.

“The presence of Muslim embassies and their diplomatic staff creates natural demand for halal services,” Cortez noted. “When foreign dignitaries and citizens visit the Philippines, Makati often serves as their primary base of operations.”

Implementation Strategy

The initiative will focus initially on ensuring halal compliance in key sectors such as hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers. Chamber leaders believe that establishing halal standards in these high-visibility areas will create a foundation for broader adoption throughout the hospitality industry.

Regional Impact Expectations

Cortez anticipates that Makati’s transformation into a halal hub will influence other Philippine cities to follow suit. Given Makati’s reputation as a trendsetter in business and urban development, successful implementation of halal tourism standards could catalyze similar initiatives across the archipelago.

“Makati’s influence extends beyond its borders,” Cortez observed. “When we successfully implement halal compliance in our major establishments, we expect other cities to recognize the economic benefits and adopt similar approaches.”

This comprehensive approach to halal tourism development represents the Philippines’ commitment to capturing a larger share of the global Muslim travel market while supporting domestic economic growth through inclusive business practices.

Original article:

antaranews.com. (n.d.). Philippines’ financial center taps tourism department to become halal hub. Retrieved June 29, 2025, from https://www.arabnews.com/node/2606166/world