\"Participating in events like PHTTE allows us to better serve our Muslim guests while showcasing our commitment to inclusivity,\" said Cleofe Albiso, MHR managing director. \"Championing Muslim tourism is part of our Sampaguita brand of service and identity as a Filipino hospitality brand.\"<\/p>\r\r
With the theme \"Showcasing diverse Halal, Halal-ready and friendly markets of all regions to the international arena,\" PHTTE 2025 promotes Halal-certified products, services, and experiences across the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).<\/p>\r\r
Since signing a memorandum of understanding at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai in May 2024, MHR has led initiatives to meet the growing demand for Muslim-friendly accommodations. From January to March 2025, it recorded a 40 percent increase in Muslim stays and a 58 percent rise in revenue year-on-year, driven by markets like India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.<\/p>\r\r
MHR is the first and largest hotel chain certified by the Department of Tourism as 100 percent Muslim-friendly across all 13 properties. Several hotel kitchens are Halal-certified by HICCIP, ensuring meals meet Muslim dietary needs.<\/p>\r\r
Visit www.megaworldhotels.com for more details.<\/p>\r<\/lt-div><\/lt-div><\/lt-div><\/lt-toolbar>","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"off\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"drupal_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":null,\\\"properties\\\":{\\\"PUBLISHED\\\":0,\\\"PROMOTED\\\":0,\\\"STICKY\\\":0},\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"wp_custom_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"show_image\":[\"off\"],\"Disable_Ad\":[\"off\"],\"disable_player\":[\"off\"],\"column\":[\"\"],\"kicker\":[\"\"],\"edel\":[\"\"],\"delu\":[\"\"],\"delt\":[\"Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.\"],\"premium\":[\"off\"],\"Redirect_URL\":[\"\"],\"Registration_required\":[\"off\"],\"background_image\":[\"off\"],\"user_needs\":[\"\"],\"page_number\":\"0\",\"initial_publication\":\"\",\"date_created\":\"2025-06-14 17:24:31\",\"date_modified\":\"2025-06-14 17:25:15\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Mhel Jhon Flores\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"target_page\":\"0\",\"cxense_metatags\":null}","cms_type":"live","author_id":0,"section_id":67,"seo_meta_keywords":"Megaworld,Hotels,&,Resorts,champion,Muslim-friendly,travel","seo_meta_description":"","seo_meta_title":"Megaworld Hotels & Resorts champion Muslim-friendly travel","publish_time":"2025-06-15 00:13:00","related_articles_ids":"","article_tags":"","sub_section_id":0,"visit_count":0,"sponsored_flag":0,"offer_flag":0,"featured_article_flag":0,"media_gallery_flag":0,"video_gallery_flag":0,"highlight_flag":0,"top_story_flag":0,"is_updated":0,"is_old_article":0,"old_article_id":0,"article_byline":"","ts":"2025-06-14 17:25:25","last_edited":"2025-06-14 17:25:15","alt_publish_time":"2025-06-14 17:25:21","image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"manilatimes\\\\\/uploads\\\\\/images\\\\\/2025\\\\\/06\\\\\/14\\\\\/654778.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":\\\"{\\\\\\\"original_image\\\\\\\":{\\\\\\\"image_original_width\\\\\\\":1682,\\\\\\\"image_original_height\\\\\\\":1121,\\\\\\\"icd_image_type\\\\\\\":\\\\\\\"original_image\\\\\\\"},\\\\\\\"main_image\\\\\\\":{\\\\\\\"image_main_width\\\\\\\":1200,\\\\\\\"image_main_height\\\\\\\":799,\\\\\\\"icd_image_type\\\\\\\":\\\\\\\"main_image\\\\\\\"}}\\\",\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY MHR\\\\u2019s participation reaffirms its commitment to fostering inclusivity and cultural understanding in the hospitality sector. PHOTO FROM MHR\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":1}","author_name":"","section_name":"TMT Newswire","sub_section_name":"","slide_show":0,"breaking_news":0,"visit_count_update_date":null,"old_cms_article_id":null,"permalink":"2025\/06\/15\/tmt-newswire\/megaworld-hotels-resorts-champion-muslim-friendly-travel\/2133399","show_image_in_thumb":0,"api_status":2,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":null}","publication_id":2,"max_publish_time":"2025-06-15 00:13:00","page_number":"0","homepage_article_flag":0,"article_shortlink":null,"cropped_image":0};
MEGAWORLD Hotels & Resorts (MHR), the Philippines' largest hotel operator, will join the Philippine Halal Trade and Tourism Expo (PHTTE) from June 18 to 20 at SMX Convention Center in Davao City.
FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY MHR’s participation reaffirms its commitment to fostering inclusivity and cultural understanding in the hospitality sector. PHOTO FROM MHR
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts Embrace Muslim-Friendly Tourism in the Philippines
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR), the Philippines’ largest homegrown hospitality chain, is making significant strides in catering to the growing Muslim travel market. Recognizing the immense potential of this demographic, MHR is implementing key initiatives to ensure a comfortable and welcoming experience for Muslim guests across its diverse portfolio of hotels and resorts. This move positions MHR as a leader in inclusive tourism within the Philippines, setting a new standard for hospitality in the region.
The initiative focuses on providing essential amenities and services that cater to the specific needs of Muslim travelers. This includes readily available prayer rooms or designated prayer spaces within the hotels, clearly marked Qibla directions in guest rooms, and halal-certified or Muslim-friendly dining options. MHR is actively working with its culinary teams to develop menus that adhere to halal standards, offering a variety of delicious and authentic dishes.
Beyond the provision of physical amenities, MHR is also emphasizing staff training to ensure cultural sensitivity and understanding. Employees are being educated on Islamic customs and traditions, enabling them to provide personalized and respectful service to Muslim guests. This commitment to cultural awareness is crucial in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.
This strategic move by MHR aligns with the global trend of Muslim-friendly tourism, which is experiencing significant growth. The Philippines, with its diverse culture and stunning landscapes, has the potential to become a major destination for Muslim travelers. By proactively catering to their needs, MHR is not only expanding its market reach but also contributing to the growth of the Philippine tourism industry as a whole.
The initiative promises to enhance the overall travel experience for Muslim visitors, encouraging longer stays and positive word-of-mouth referrals. This translates to increased revenue for MHR and a boost for the Philippine economy. As MHR continues to expand its Muslim-friendly offerings, it is solidifying its position as a pioneer in inclusive tourism, paving the way for other hospitality providers to follow suit. The long-term impact is expected to be significant, attracting a wider range of tourists and showcasing the Philippines as a welcoming destination for all.
Key Points:
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) is implementing Muslim-friendly initiatives.
Focus on prayer rooms/spaces, Qibla directions, and halal-certified/Muslim-friendly dining options.
MHR is training staff on Islamic customs and traditions.
Aims to attract the growing global Muslim travel market.
Expects to enhance travel experience, encourage longer stays and positive referrals.
