DOT Regional Director Carolina Uy says her agency seeks to make Central Luzon a Muslim-friendly destination in time for Clark and Subic’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. (Cherie Joyce V. Flores/PIA 3)

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga, Nov.14 (PIA) — Department of Tourism (DOT) seeks to make Central Luzon a Muslim-friendly destination in time for Clark and Subic’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

“Next year, Central Luzon will be the host of the 30th SEA Games wherein thousands of Muslim athletes and supporters are expected to come and stay in the country that’s why we need to position the region to be a Muslim-friendly destination,” DOT Regional Director Carolina Uy said during the first Regional Halal Stakeholders Congress.

Central Luzon has been experiencing a significant increase in its share of Muslim market over the last two years wherein contributing factors include the existing flights of Qatar Airways and Emirates.

“The increase in the market share has boosted by holding back to back sessions and seminars to promote awareness of the fundamentals of halal industry recognizing that Muslim tourists have two basic needs, to be understood and not to go hungry,” Uy furthered.

“Right now, Department of Trade and Industry is making available a facility in Bulacan intended for the improvement of packaging of Halal-certified products,” she shared.

In terms of air connectivity, Uy said that airlines are very committed and serious in mounting additional flights from Clark and establishing connecting flights to the Middle East and Mindanao.

“We are very optimistic with the improvement of air connectivity and advancing of the development of the Halal industry in Central Luzon having Clark as an international gateway,” Uy said. (CLJD/CJVF-PIA 3)

Source: https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1014949