ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA — The Department of Tourism Region III successfully concluded a specialized Muslim-Friendly Golf Familiarization Tour for international tour operators and digital media delegates, capping off the multi-day inspection with a formal farewell dinner on October 8, 2026, at the Best Western Plus Metro Clark.
Bridging Sport and Cultural Inclusivity
The initiative aligns with the national trajectory under the Department of Tourism, which has recorded a dramatic rise to roughly 70 officially recognized Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments nationwide, with leading hotel groups achieving 100% MFAE compliance across select portfolios . For international golf markets—particularly across Southeast Asia and the Middle East—access to verified Halal dining, proper prayer facilities, and staff trained in cultural sensitivity transforms a standard sporting trip into a frictionless holiday. "The secret here is synergy—synergy among the locators, synergy with government agencies, and synergy with our foreign friends," said Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, CDC President and CEO . The Philippines has been ranked 8th among non-OIC destinations in the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index, reflecting growing international recognition of its halal and Muslim-friendly tourism initiatives.
The Southern-to-Central Golf Corridor
The familiarization route highlighted premier regional courses engineered for both high-level competition and relaxed leisure play. The Laguna and South Luzon hubs featured premier layouts like Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club, renowned for its expansive, multi-course acreage in General Trias, Cavite . The Clark and Pampanga circuit was anchored by the Mimosa Plus Golf Course inside Clark, alongside nearby championship grounds like Pradera Verde in Lubao . Supported by specialized training modules, local hospitality frontliners are learning to institutionalize Halal food handling and transparent labeling, ensuring that luxury sports tourism and religious inclusivity go hand in hand. With direct connectivity from key international gateways to destinations such as Manila, Cebu, and Clark, the Philippines continues to position itself as a welcoming destination where travelers of all faiths can enjoy meaningful journeys.
