THE DAVAO City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) is working on a mapping project and ordinance to support the growing Halal tourism sector.
CTOO officer-in-charge Willenito Tormis Jr. told TIMES that the project is currently in the creation and consultative stage, with ongoing coordination with Halal stakeholders.
The office is working with the Davao Muslim Affairs Office and private sector partners to realize the project.
“Right now, we are developing the Halal mapping project and ordinance, so that’s what we are kana among gipaningkamotan karon. We are talking to stakeholders, many people related to Halal,” the official said in a sideline interview during the launching of the 33rd Travel Tour Expo on Thursday, April 30.
Tormis said the mapping initiative will cover a wide range of establishments beyond restaurants and hotels, including prayer rooms, food stalls, and other Halal-related experiences and facilities.
Once completed, the office will be able to identify establishments that still need to be Halal-certified. In the future, they also aim to create Halal tourism circuits in the city to serve Muslim visitors.
“Davao City already has numerous Halal restaurants, hotels, and establishments, but these have yet to be formally documented and organized,” he said.
CTOO is also targeting a Halal expo before the end of the year.
The mapping project is intended to generate data on Muslim visitors to support market development and more targeted tourism efforts for the specific market.
With the ordinance expected to be passed this year, the official said the push for Halal tourism will significantly impact the city’s broader tourism industry once fully implemented.
