Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the Philippines’ largest hotel developer and operator, has always aimed to ensure that each property fully addresses the needs of every guest. The strong focus on fulfilling each requirement—whether it involves food, rooms, amenities, or facilities—is consistently upheld to deliver excellent service and a memorable vacation experience.

All its 13 resort and accommodation properties have been impressively serving both domestic and international travelers, regardless of nationality, age, religious or cultural background, and moral values. 

No wonder Megaworld Hotels & Resorts attracts many Muslim visitors from Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Middle East, and beyond. What makes it even more appealing to Muslim guests is the easy access to halal food and comfortable accommodations that genuinely respect cultural and dietary needs.

Kingsford Hotel Manila, the first among Megaworld properties to put up a halal kitchen  

Kingsford Hotel Manila has long been providing Muslim-friendly spaces and halal foods, even before the Department of Tourism (DOT) issued a memorandum circular order related to offering an exceptional halal vacation experience. It opened the halal kitchen during the pandemic to serve everyone.

By creating a dedicated halal kitchen and ensuring facilities meet the specific needs of Muslim guests, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts distinguishes itself as part of inclusive hospitality.

Arturo Boncato Jr., Group General Manager of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, narrates their deliberate effort to blend leisure and faith, resulting in the best outcomes smoothly.

“Megaworld has been known to be very inclusive. In fact, over the years, you’ve seen how it has projected innovation and has always responded to market demand,” begins Boncato.  

He furthers, “Even in the past, because we’ve been in the industry for quite some time, when we meet our Muslim brothers and sisters from outside of the country, we meet them during our daily life in the hospitality industry. They end up complaining. They say, ‘You know, we love the Philippines, but when we come here, we don’t feel 100-percent comfortable because we go hungry. We have no idea where to dine with a halal standard.’ So, they would end up going to certain fast food chains that are known to have halal sources.

“But for a tourist to come to a destination and just eat fast food, it does not serve the purpose of visiting a destination.”

Guests from various Muslim countries no longer need to worry where to find a hearty, halal-certified meal or whether their accommodations match their spiritual practices—concerns that often cause stress for travelers in unfamiliar areas.

Boncato states that apart from Kingsford, their five other hotels, namely the Grand Westside Hotel, Hotel Lucky Chinatown, Savoy Hotel Boracay, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, and Belmont Hotel Mactan, already have halal kitchens certified by the Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines (HICCIP). Muslim guests can be assured that these hotels use separate utensils and cookware, and there is no pork or alcohol in their kitchens.

What’s good, our Managing Director Cleofe Albiso, has given the green light to make all 13 kitchens halal for a certain period, “because it requires a bit of change in infrastructure,” says Boncato.

100 percent Muslim-friendly

The commitment of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts goes beyond food. Its staff members receive training on cultural sensitivity, and guest services are thoughtfully designed to respect and celebrate diversity. The result is a welcoming environment where everyone, regardless of background, feels seen, respected, and at home.

Boncato shares the DOT, under the leadership of Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, with Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, geared up the Halal Tourism Program.

“Actually, the Halal Tourism Program has been with the DOT for the longest time, but now there’s a great push (for Muslim-friendly tourism), and then Megaworld came to respond to that. That’s why when we participated in the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai last year, MD Cleo signed the agreement with the DOT that we shall make all our properties Muslim-friendly at the very least because DOT has finally rolled out a standard. Before, they were encouraging everyone to be Muslim-friendly, but without a standard. Now they’ve rolled out a standard, and we have something to follow.

“When it comes to rooms, they said five percent of your room inventory, let’s say if you have 100 rooms, maybe five of those rooms could be converted into a Muslim-friendly room. Meaning you must have a Qibla inside the room—it’s the arrow pointing you to Mecca.”

Prayer mats are available at the front desk upon request, as well as the Quran. “What they really need is information, so we trained our frontliners, especially the front office, to know exactly where the halal restaurants or the nearest mosques are and all related to their lifestyle.”

Blending leisure with faith and personal values

The dedication to inclusivity is evident in the thoughtful adaptation of services and spaces across Megaworld’s properties. Prayer rooms, Qibla direction indicators in guest rooms, and clearly labeled halal choices at the buffet section have become part of the guest experience. The collaboration with the hotel chefs and the certification body ensures that every meal meets strict halal standards, allowing guests to dine with confidence and peace of mind.

Travelers seeking comfort and purpose in their trips will find a warm welcome at Megaworld Hotels & Resorts that respects their beliefs. Instead of just meeting basic needs, the brand goes beyond by creating an environment where relaxation naturally blends with faith and personal values.

Muslim families can relax, confident that their needs are understood, while solo travelers feel a sense of belonging far from home.

Muslim-friendly beach Marhaba Boracay

While several Muslim-majority destinations continue debating how to accommodate Muslim guests without alienating mainstream tourists, Boncato says Megaworld launched Marhaba Boracay in partnership with the DOT and the local government of Malay, Aklan. It was a pioneering project that transformed a 300-meter stretch of white sand beach at Cove 2 in Boracay Newcoast into a Muslim-friendly zone, complete with family-oriented amenities and private spaces carefully designed for Muslim women and children.

The idea of Marhaba Boracay emerged when Megaworld’s Boracay team hosted a group of ambassadors, most of whom were from Muslim countries. The ambassador of Brunei expressed her concern about not being able to feel completely comfortable in Boracay despite its beauty because they couldn’t swim. 

“Marhaba means welcome. So, it’s open not only to Muslim guests staying in our properties in Boracay but also for the whole island because Boracay itself has declared a Muslim-friendly program. So, technically, with the halal kitchen and the beach, the whole Boracay New Coast is Muslim-friendly,” says Boncato. 

The influx of Muslim guests

The growing number of Muslim travelers, Boncato believes, is the result of their remarkable vacation experience: It’s much better than before.

Our Muslim brothers now equally feel comfortable bringing business to a beach destination not only because of the food or the kind of cultural understanding from the Filipino hospitality team, but also because they can now swim in the beach.

“Groups coming from outside, they’re growing. The Malaysian market is growing. But we hope the whole Islamic countries, all the way from Dubai and Saudi Arabia, eventually, if they come to the Philippines, they will know that our country is ready. And we’re doing this for the country. As I understand, DOT is also expanding with other partners. But we’re just so happy that we were the first ones to respond to their call,” states Boncato.

A recognition from CrescentRating

The conscious effort of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts to cater to Muslim guests didn’t go unnoticed. In recognition of its efforts, the hotel developer and operator recently garnered accolades from CrescentRating, a leading authority on Muslim-friendly travel. Megaworld Hotels & Resorts has been hailed as the Philippines’ first-ever “Muslim-Friendly Hotel Chain” during the Halal in Travel Awards 2025 in Singapore.

Such acknowledgment underscored not only Megaworld’s initiatives in embracing diversity and promoting inclusive travel but also its impact, affirming that making spaces inclusive resonates far beyond local shores.

In her acceptance speech, Albiso expressed appreciation for the recognition and highlighted the group’s vision of inclusive hospitality. “This milestone is more than an award. It reflects the Philippines’ growing spirit of openness, learning, and cultural harmony. It is our heartfelt invitation to our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world to make the Philippines, Asia’s Pearl of the Orient, your next home away from home.”

The achievement has resonated not only within the industry but also among stakeholders eager to see the Philippines emerge as a welcoming destination for travelers of all backgrounds. With this milestone, Megaworld sees both recognition and responsibility: to sustain momentum, expand offerings, and inspire others in the hospitality sector.

Looking ahead, Boncato says the focus shifts to scaling up efforts, ensuring that inclusivity is not just a promise, but a standard upheld across all properties. Sustained collaboration with local partners, ongoing staff training, and continuous improvements to facilities and services are key elements in the blueprint for growth. As more hotels within the chain undergo halal certification and more staff receive specialized cultural training, Megaworld aims to set the bar for Muslim-friendly hospitality.

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts team knows that each step forward inspired a renewed commitment to expand, refine, and advocate for hospitality that welcomes all, regardless of faith or background.

“More than the accolade, it’s really a huge encouragement that we should continue with this. And then grow the market,” says Boncato.

Adapting to the evolving needs of Muslim travelers

As Megaworld Hotels & Resorts continues to strengthen its reputation for Muslim-friendly hospitality, the journey is far from over. Looking ahead, part of its plans includes converting all its hotels’ kitchens to halal. It currently has 13 hotels, with two more planned for the future.

Megaworld’s vision is clear: to build an environment where hospitality is more than just a service, but a sincere welcome.

By celebrating diversity and actively adapting to the evolving needs of Muslim travelers, Megaworld positions itself not only as a market leader but as a catalyst for positive change within the Philippine tourism industry.

Sampaguita brand of hospitality

Boncato affirms that their Sampaguita brand of service is all rooted in being Filipino.

“As our national flower, Sampaguita, we aim to raise awareness of the Philippines’ heritage and educate the world on the significance of the Sampaguita. The Filipino brand of service isn’t just spoken about; tourists also get to experience it firsthand. That’s the true essence of the Sampaguita brand of service that Megaworld Hotels & Resorts has launched.

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A variety of intricate design pieces from different towns in Pangasinan were among the highlights at the recently concluded Manila FAME 2025, the Philippines’ premier design and lifestyle expo held at the World Trade Center Metro Manila.

This year’s edition, dubbed “Object of Nature,” featured over 300 local and international exhibitors showcasing a curated selection of home decor, furniture, lighting, fashion, and artisanal products that demonstrated Filipino creativity and craftsmanship.

Pangasinan’s participation included 10 MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), namely, Olly + Fely by KNPH from Bolinao; RAJ Handicrafts, Bani; E-Kawayan Factory, Alaminos; Gemma’s Souvenir Shops, Alaminos; Lapey Loom Weaving, Umingan; Ilokana Handicraft, San Manuel; BLADES, Pozorrubio; Alma’s Handicraft, Pozorrubio; Aguinaldo Interiors, Dagupan; Bandulf Industries, San Carlos; and Crafter’s Joy Cornhusk Products, Basista. They showcased eye-catching designs that truly reflected the province’s excellent artistry. Their products ranged from bags and fashion wear to custom jewelry, souvenir items made from shells, crochet items, and wooden plates, all inspired by nature.

The local government of Pangasinan, led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III, extended full support for MSMEs in this remarkable event with the cooperation of DTI Pangasinan and Project Abound to introduce proudly made Pangasinense products to both local and international markets.

The Manila FAME 2025 provided an invaluable platform for Pangasinan artisans not only to exhibit their creations but also to connect with buyers, designers, and fellow makers from across the globe. Many of the showcased items earned praise for their innovative use of sustainable materials and their harmonious blend of traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities.

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