DUMATING na sa Pilipinas ang Miss Universe reigning queens ng Bahrain at Pakistan para magsanay para sa nalalapit na Miss Universe Pageant.
Ngunit bukod sa kanilang Miss Universe training stint, nandito rin sa bansa sina Lujane Yacoub ng Bahrain at Erica Robin ng Pakistan para i-promote ang Filipino brand ng wellness at halal tourism.
Ito ay naging posible sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulungan ng Department of Tourism (DOT), The Farm at San Benito at XPEDITION Magazine Middle East.
‘‘It’s my job as a Pakistani Ambassador to tell them that the Philippines offers halal food. And it’s beautiful and I would recommend to come because it has everything to offer coming from a Muslim country. Halal food, also beautiful sceneries, beautiful landscape and most importantly Philippines is very welcoming,’’ according to Erica Robin, Miss Universe Pakistan 2023.
‘‘The Filipinos that I’ve met, they are creative. They’re talented. I think that only help my country to visit it more. And the fact that we have places like The Farm that provide halal options, even in the Philippines if you look around, there are many types of restaurants, they are many types of establishments. So, it’s there its open for anyone to enjoy,’’ according to Lujane Yacoub, Miss Universe Bahrain 2023.
‘‘We have a lot of Koreans, Americans traveling here but I think it’s high time for us to invite the rich Emiratis, the Bahrainis, the Arabs, the Pakistanis, the Middle Eastern travelers who spends so much when they travel. It would help us boost the tourism,’’ according to Josh Yugen, Ms. Universe Franchise Owner.
Mananatili ang mga reigning queen sa The Farm at San Benito na nangungunang destinasyon para sa wellness at halal tourism.
Ang multi-awarded holistic medical wellness resort ay nangunguna sa pag-promote ng Filipino brand of wellness at nag-aalok ng mga halal-experience para sa mga manlalakbay mula sa buong mundo.
DOT, positibo na mas uusbong ang halal tourism ng Pilipinas
Sa inisyatiba na ito, naniniwala ang DOT na mas uunlad ang halal tourism sa mga susunod na araw.
Umaasa si Tourism Usec. Myra Paz Valderosa-Abubakar na ang impluwensiya ng Miss Universe Queens ay magdadala ng mas maraming turista mula sa Gulf Region.
‘‘Pagkatapos nitong pangyayari na ito ay bukas pa lang madami na tayong Muslim na kapatid na gusto nang pumunta sa Pilipinas at bumisita sa atin para makita nila kung ano naman ang mayroon tayo with regard to Muslim-friendly tourism and halal tourism,’’ ayon kay Usec. Myra Paz Valderosa-Abubakar.
Kamakailan, ang Pilipinas ay ginawaran bilang Emerging Muslim-Friendly Destination` of the Year sa Halal Travel Global Summit 2023 na ginanap sa Singapore.
Nasa pangpitong puwesto rin ang bansa sa mga nangungunang 20 non-OIC o non-organization ng mga Islamic countries na destinasyon, kasabay ng Germany at South Africa.
Umakyat din ang bansa sa ika-36 na puwesto sa 138 na destinasyon sa Global Muslim Travel Index 2023 ng Mastercard crescent rating.
5-star Halal Wellness Resort, hinimok ang mga kapwa negosyo na isaalang-alang ang halal sa kanilang mga inaalok
Samantala, hinihikayat ni Ms. Jennifer Sanvictores ng The Farm at San Benito ang mga tourism establishment, resort at hotel na isaalang-alang ang halal sa kanilang mga inaalok.
Naniniwala siya na ito ay magbubukas ng mga oportunidad at makaaakit ng mas maraming dayuhang turista.
‘‘It brings a bigger opportunity to attract foreign travelers to our country not only the Gulf Region but also coming from the ASEAN Region,’’ ayon pa kay Jennifer Sanvictores.
Ang DOT ay nakapagtala ng kabuuang 289 halal certified o Muslim-friendly accommodation establishments sa buong bansa at 237 halal certified restaurants.
Idinagdag ni Sanvictores na bukod sa halal tourism, hindi rin mapapantayan ang health and wellness tourism ng bansa.
‘‘The Philippines is a prime and premium destination for healing and wellness. First and foremost, the Filipino hospitality, heartfelt healthcare, service and genuine care is unmatched. And it is known globally,’’ ani Sanvictores.
