The Philippines has made significant strides in becoming a more inclusive destination for Muslim travelers, securing 8th place in the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) for non-OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) countries. This marks a notable jump from its 12th place ranking in 2024, with its score rising by seven points to 53.
Published by Mastercard and CrescentRating, the GMTI report applauded the Philippines for its continuous efforts in improving accessibility and facilities tailored to Muslim visitors. The country was cited as one of the “strong gainers” in the non-OIC category, alongside Taiwan, Thailand, Ireland, and Australia.
“The Philippines is steadily positioning itself as a Muslim-friendly destination,” the report stated, pointing to the expansion of Halal-certified food offerings and enhanced Muslim-friendly features at popular tourist sites. Key initiatives by the Department of Tourism (DOT) include awareness campaigns, stakeholder training, and infrastructure development in support of Muslim-friendly travel.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed the recognition as a validation of the country’s inclusive tourism strategy. “This recognition for the Philippines by the Global Muslim Travel Index 2025 affirms our steady commitment to introduce the Philippines as a halal and Muslim-friendly destination,” she said. “By prioritizing halal and Muslim-friendly tourism, we not only demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity but also open up opportunities to attract more Muslim travelers from around the world.”
The DOT’s broader strategy, aligned with the National Tourism Development Plan 2023–2028, includes guidelines for accrediting Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments. Among the standout contributors is Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, recognized as the first hotel group in the country with 100% of its 13 properties certified as Muslim-friendly. The group earned accolades at the Halal in Travel Awards 2025 in Singapore, including “Muslim-Friendly Hotel Chain of the Year.”
These hotels now offer amenities such as Qibla direction markers, prayer rugs, Halal meals, water-friendly restrooms, and gender-specific spa facilities, further cementing the country’s readiness to cater to Muslim tourists.
Mastercard, in partnership with the DOT, also aims to use data and analytics to fine-tune marketing campaigns and enhance digital payment systems throughout key tourism corridors. The collaboration is expected to support the growing Muslim travel segment, which saw 176 million international Muslim travelers in 2024 and is projected to hit 245 million by 2030 with spending estimated at $230 billion.
CrescentRating CEO Fazal Bahardeen noted that the Philippines’ rise in the rankings reflects “a genuine commitment to building inclusive and welcoming tourism ecosystems.”
