DOT unveils Marhaba Boracay, a Muslim-friendly cove patterned after Maldives, Thailand
The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday unveiled the Marhaba Boracay, a cove meant to cater to Muslim travelers and Islamic laws.
According to the DOT, Marhaba Cove is the “first of its kind” and is patterned from other Muslim-friendly beaches such as Maldives and Thailand. It aims to be a “special-use” area that takes into consideration Islamic laws and the Halal culture.
“The launching of the Marhaba Boracay aligns with the DOT’s continuous efforts under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to promote Halal and Muslim-friendly tourism in the Philippines,” the DOT said in a Facebook post.
“The initiative comes on the heels of the country’s back-to-back recognitions as an Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination among non-OIC countries in the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2023 and 2024,” the DOT added.
Marhaba is located in the Boracay Newcoast area of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR). The designation of this cove was initiated by the local government unit of Malay and DOT, together with Halal, Muslim and hospitality partners.
Leading the ribbon-cutting ceremonies were DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco joined by Municipality of Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista and other distinguished officials, including Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism officials led by Minister Abu Amri Taddik.
