AirAsia Philippines and the Philippine Department of Tourism have entered a partnership with the aim of making the Philippines a more halal and Muslim-friendly destination.
The Philippines’ Department of Tourism has recognized AirAsia Philippines as the first Muslim-friendly airline for offering Halal-certified meal options on all its domestic and international flights.
AirAsia said it recognizes the importance of travel inclusivity for Muslims, whose population in the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, now stands at approximately 15 million.
“AirAsia Philippines takes pride in breaking barriers to travel and making our services more inclusive for all, especially for our Muslim travelers. We are very bullish. We will make this partnership stronger, bigger, and more successful,” AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said in a statement.
“We understand that airlines play a vital role in the Halal promotion as we are one of the frontiers of consumer journey in tourism. Hence, we continue to be agile and enhance our offerings so that everyone feels welcomed and truly at home when they visit our beautiful country,” Isla continued.
On January 16, 2025, the airline is set to launch halal-friendly in-flight meal options.
“As part of our strategy to become a Muslim-friendly tourism destination, we have ensured that the touch points of Muslim tourists in the country are properly addressed. We anticipate that the Santan menu will add even more dishes that are inclusive to our communities in the country bringing more delight to our travelers,” said Philippine Tourism Secretary, Christina Garcia Frasco.
“Also, I am heartened to know that the focus of Air Asia will be on the expansion of domestic tourism in the country. This memorandum that we have signed today is a testament to the power of collaboration reflecting our shared aspiration for an inclusive and globally competitive Philippine tourism industry,” Frasco concluded.
The Muslim travel market is growing globally, with more Muslim travelers traveling internationally.
A 2024 Global Muslim Travel Index report by Mastercard and Halal research organization CrescentRating showed that the Muslim travel market is set for 230 million international arrivals by 2028, with an expenditure of $225 billion.
Aside from Halal-food and prayer facilities, some of the key factors in making a destination Muslim-friendly include segregated facilities for men and women, no gambling or alcohol, and hospitality / tourism staff dressed conservatively.