The Philippines is aiming for a spot among the world’s top three Muslim-friendly destinations after emerging as one of the biggest movers in the 2026 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI).
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the country’s climb to fifth place among non-Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations from eighth last year reflects sustained efforts to make the Philippines a more inclusive and welcoming destination for Muslim travelers.
The Philippines also surged nine places in the overall global rankings to 27th, one of the strongest improvements recorded in this year’s index.
“We are encouraged by the Philippines’ rise to No. 5, but we will not stop there. Our aspiration is to climb even higher,” Angara-Mathay said, stressing the need to continuously upgrade tourism products and services as global interest in the country grows.
The ambitious target comes as the GMTI 2026 identified the Philippines as its “standout performer,” posting the highest momentum shift among ranked destinations with a five-point score increase.
According to Tawfiq Salam Ikhtianto, Head of Research and Capacity Building for the GMTI, the country’s stronger showing was driven by more aggressive government promotion, the hosting of Muslim-friendly events, and the expanding availability of halal-certified restaurants, Muslim-friendly accommodations, and tourism facilities.
He added that government-led accreditation programs have helped boost confidence among Muslim travelers, whose intention to visit the Philippines continues to increase.
The latest rankings place the Philippines among the non-OIC category’s “Potential Leaders,” alongside destinations such as Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
With momentum building and Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure expanding, the DOT is now setting its sights on breaking into the GMTI’s top tier and capturing a larger share of the fast-growing global Muslim travel market.
