BILANG mga Muslim, medyo pahirapan sa mga influencer na sina Shaha at Afrim na maglakbay sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Pilipinas.
Lalo na anila sa paghahanap ng mga hotel, restaurant, at iba pang establisimyento na Muslim-friendly.
“When we travel we want to feel safe and comfortable sa place. For us actually very hard to find a hotel which can welcome us, which can respect our beliefs, respect our food,” ayon kay Shaha Meta, Influencer.
“We went to a place and we wanted to eat something right. They have things in the menu that is okay for us like chicken or beef. But then they told us that the oil their using is the same for pork and chicken. Or the sauce which is usually use of the chicken has pork in it. So, it’s quite difficult for us,” ayon kay Afrim Meta, Influencer.
Properties ng pinakamalaking hotel developer sa Pilipinas, ginawaran ng Muslim-friendly certification
Kaya ikinatuwa ni Shaha at Afrim na mas magiging hassle-free na ang paghahanap nila ng mga hotel at accommodation sa mga pangunahing tourist destination sa bansa.
Iyan ay kasunod ng paggawad ng Department of Tourism ng Muslim-Friendly certification sa lahat ng properties ng Megaworld Hotels and Resorts.
“When you go inside their rooms they have prayer mats for us Muslims. So, we can use them for praying. They have Qurans.”
“There is a Kibla which shows what direction we have to pray,” dagdag ni Afrim Meta.
“I want to travel more and explore more. Like I want to want to go in this place knowing na mayroon silang Muslim-friendly hotel,” wika ni Shaha Meta, Influencer.
Sumailalim ang 13 properties ng Megaworld sa Muslim-Friendly Accommodation and Establishments Recognition Program ng DOT na naayon sa Islamic values at global standards upang matiyak na ang mga serbisyo ay akma sa pangangailangan ng mga Muslim travelers.
“This also does not only comply with inclusivity and diversity in the markets that we focus on, we are also sharing our interest to really showcase what the Filipinos can give in terms of showcasing the Filipino brand of hospitality,” ayon kay Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts.
Nitong Setyembre, inilunsad rin ng DOT ang kauna-unahang Muslim-friendly na dalampasigan sa Pilipinas, ang Marhaba Boracay Beach Cove.
Inaasahan ng DOT ang positibong epekto sa ekonomiya ng pagdami ng mga Muslim-friendly na destinasyon at establisimyento sa sektor ng turismo at mga lokal na negosyo sa bansa.
“We expect that this landmark for Philippine tourism will further increase the over half a million arrivals that we have already received from Muslim-majority countries. And most importantly increase more livelihood and tourism opportunities for our fellow Filipinos,” pahayag ni Sec. Christina Garcia-Frasco, Department of Tourism.
Mula Enero hanggang Nobyembre ng kasalukuyang taon, nakapagtala ang DOT ng higit 547,000 na tourist arrival mula sa mga Muslim-majority country kung saan nangunguna ang bansang Malaysia.
Tiniyak ng DOT na mas palalawakin pa nila ang kanilang programa sa paggawad ng Muslim-friendly certification hindi lamang sa mga hotel at accommodation.
“If there will be more airlines, more properties, more restaurants, services that will be interested to be Muslim-friendly recognized, we will be more than happy actually to assist them because aside from thinking of Muslim travelers coming in to the country, we also give employment to the people in the communities,” saad ni Usec. Myra Paz Valderrosa, Abubakar, Department of Tourism.
