Cebu City, DOT to push for Muslim-Friendly, Halal tourism initiatives

CEBU CITY – Cebu City and the Department of Tourism (DOT) want to push for more Muslim-Friendly tourism programs in Cebu City, in a courtesy visit of DOT Undersecretary Myra Paz Abubakar and DOT-7 OIC Regional Director Gelena Asis-Dimpas at City Hall on March 4 with Mayor Nestor Archival welcoming the idea of a Muslim friendly Cebu City.

The discussion explored ways to encourage accommodation establishments to adopt Muslim-friendly standards and to promote more halal-certified restaurants across the city, Abubakar said this initiative seeks to ensure that Muslim travelers feel welcome in Cebu City.

“We want our Muslim tourists/travelers to feel very welcome here and that they have access to services and facilities that respect their cultural and religious practices, positioning Cebu City as a more inclusive and welcoming destination,” Abubakar added.

Mayor Archival on the other hand shared his plans to establish a Muslim Section at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), a proposal that USEC Abubakar fully support.  They also discussed the development of specialized tour packages tailored for Muslim tourists to further enhance visitor experience and accessibility.

“We welcomed USEC. Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to discuss ways forward in advancing Muslim-friendly and Halal tourism initiatives in Cebu City. Our discussion also touched on strengthening programs that support the Muslim Filipino community, including identifying Muslim communities and mosques in the city, as well as exploring the possibility of establishing a Muslim section in hospitals to better address their cultural and religious needs,” Archival said in his Facebook post.

USEC Abubakar assured Mayor Archival that the DOT reaffirmed its support to these initiatives and assist the Cebu City Government in implementing programs and standards that will advance Muslim-Friendly Tourism in the city. (Photos: Cebu City PIO)