Manila, Philippines – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has forged a partnership with airline AirAsia Philippines to promote the Philippines as a Muslim-friendly destination.
AirAsia has been offering Halal-certified meal options on its domestic and international flights, which aligns with DOT’s aim to increase Muslim tourists in the Philippines through inclusive experiences.
As part of the partnership, AirAsia Philippines is increasing flight frequency to Cebu, Caticlan, and Cagayan De Oro with the goal of boosting tourist revenue.
Starting January 16 this year, AirAsia Philippines guests can try the new addition to the menu of Santan, the airline’s food and beverages brand. Santan has launched the Halal dish ‘Beef Rendang with Chicken Pastil,’ which is inspired by the culinary traditions of various tribes in Davao. The dish was developed in partnership with the Universal Islamic Center.
Santan’s other offerings include ‘Nasi Lemak and Chicken Rice’ and ‘Chicken Inasal,’ all prepared according to Halal standards.
“AirAsia Philippines takes pride in breaking barriers to travel and making our services more inclusive for all, especially for our Muslim travellers. We are very bullish. We will make this partnership stronger, bigger, and more successful. 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,” Ricky Isla, AirAsia Philippines’ chief executive officer, said.
“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 travellers. Also, I am heartened to know that the focus of AirAsia 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,” Christina Garcia Frasco, DOT secretary, said.
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