THE P48.8-billion proposed development of the Davao International Airport under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) will include improved facilities for Muslim travelers.
Udenna Infrastructure Corporation assistant vice president for operations Engineer Manuel Jamonir told SunStar Davao Friday, May 3, that among the areas to be improved are bigger and more convenient prayer rooms with wash room and Halal restaurants inside.
"[Improving facilities for Muslim tourists] should be the initiative of the private sector. But on our end in the local government, we have identified Halal establishments and we included them sa materials natin," City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head Generose Tecson said in a text message to SunStar Davao.
"Regarding the airport, that's under the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap), so we hope that they will also consider facilities for Muslim tourists," she added.
Tecson said while the city has a record of increasing tourist arrivals annually, they are now trying to get information on how many are Muslim tourists.
"When we were in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last year, we visited the Islamic Tourism Center precisely to learn more about halal tourism. The first question asked by the executive director was on how many Muslim tourists we get," Tecson said.
As a Muslim-friendly city, more potential establishments are being encouraged to get Halal certification for standardization. Universal Islamic Center president Marilou Ampuan said by certifying establishments, Davao City will attract more Muslim tourists.