INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is eyeing to increase the number of Muslim tourists in the country, according to Usec. Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar.
Abubakar said that Malaysian tourists rank seventh for foreign tourists visiting the Philippines.
“Number seven sa top nating mga tourist arrivals sa Pilipinas – Malaysia po is nasa number seven po siya but of course we would like to increase the numbers of Muslim travelers,” she said in the Laging Handa Public Briefing.
(Malaysia is number seven among tourist arrivals in the Philippines, but of course we would like to increase the numbers of Muslim travelers.)
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“Alam naman po natin na kaya naman natin pong i-cater ang ating mga bisita na Muslim kapag pumunta po sa Pilipinas,” she added.
(We know that we can cater to our Muslim visitors when they go to the Philippines.)
According to Abubakar, the DOT had released a joint circular that outlined guidelines for tourist establishments to be more Muslim-friendly.
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“Mayroon pong memorandum circular na ginawa ang DOT na mayroon po tayong mga guidelines na susundin ng ating mga accommodation establishments para po maging Muslim-friendly recognized naman sila na hindi naman po mahirap talagang gawin itong mga guidelines, simple lang naman po and we’re actually rolling that out that now sa iba-ibang rehiyon po dito sa Pilipinas,” said Abubakar.
(We have a memorandum circular by the DOT that has guidelines that will be followed by accommodation establishments so that they can be recognized as Muslim-friendly, and these guidelines are not hard. They are simple and we’re actually rolling that out now in different regions in the Philippines.)
Abubakar said that Mindanao is already mostly ready, as there is a large Muslim population there. She added that establishments in Manila, Cebu and Clark are also being prepared.