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Katrina Domingo

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN — The Philippines and Brunei on Tuesday inked a deal to boost tourism in their respective countries, including placing the spotlight on Halal and medical industries to lure more visitors.Over 80 percent of Brunei’s nearly 450,000 population are Muslims, while the Philippines’ Islamic cities and communities are concentrated in the southern island of Mindanao. Through “collaborating on advertising and promotion initiatives,” both countries can “promote Muslim-friendly tourism and Halal tourism concepts in infrastructure, facilities, products and services,” the Philippine Department of Tourism said in a statement.“Focused on fostering tourism growth and development, and promoting the culture, traditions, and natural beauty of our respective countries, this agreement will enrich the tourism sector and expand economic opportunities for our peoples,” Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said.“This comprehensive agreement sets the stage for a dynamic partnership between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam, poised to bring about significant advancements in tourism for both nations especially since it includes collaborations to expand Halal and Muslim-friendly tourism, Medical and Wellness tourism, MICE tourism, and increase in tourism investments,” she said.In 2023, the Philippines obtained the “Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year for Non-OIC (Organization of Islamic Countries)” award in the Halal Travel Global Summit.The “landmark collaboration” with Brunei “signifies an exciting new chapter… that will mutually benefit our two nations,” Frasco said.The tourism deal was signed during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Brunei.Despite being a country with less than half a million people, Brunei is still an attractive tourist market for the Philippines, Marcos Jr. said during the signing of the memorandum of understanding in the Istana Nurul Iman.“Brunei, despite having relatively small population, it is the quality of tourist and not the quantity that counts,” the President said.“Through this MOU, we hope to entice and attract Bruneian tourists to explore the Philippines,” he said, noting that enhancing tourism cooperation is “among the key priorities” identified during the 3rd Philippines-Brunei Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation held in August 2023.The agreement also underscores the need to share best practices in tourism, capacity development for stakeholders, and joint promotion programs, including the creation and promotion of “tour packages that highlight the unique attractions of both countries.”Under the agreement, the two countries are also expected to promote “commercial arrangements among national airlines” as only three air carriers are flying directly to and from Manila and Banda Seri Begawan.“As mentioned in my State of the Nation Address last year, tourism continues to be an important economic engine of our growth, employing at least five million of our kababayans,” Marcos Jr. said.“I am confident that our partnership with Brunei in these important sectors will further boost our political, economic, and people to people ties,” he said.In 2023, the Philippines recorded 6,639 visitor arrivals from Brunei Darussalam “majority of whom visited the Philippines for leisure travel or vacation,” data from the DOT showed.

The Philippines and Brunei inked a deal to boost tourism in their respective countries, highlighting Halal and medical industries to lure more visitors.

The Philippines and Brunei inked a deal to boost tourism in their respective countries, highlighting Halal and medical industries to lure more visitors.

PH, Brunei to spotlight Halal, medical industries to boost tourism

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PH, Brunei to spotlight Halal, medical industries to boost tourism

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 28, 2024 07:22 PM PHT

Read More:

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Bongbong Marcos

Christina Frasco

Department of Tourism

DOT

tourism

Brunei

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