Miss Universe Queens Support Wellness and Halal Tourism in the Philippines
Recently crowned Miss Universe queens from Bahrain, Pakistan, and Egypt are demonstrating their commitment to promoting halal and wellness travel in the Philippines. This comes after the country won the Emerging Muslim-Friendly Destination Award earlier this year.
In line with the campaign initiated by the Philippine Department of Tourism to attract and boost Wellness and Halal Tourism, The Farm at San Benito and XPEDITION Magazine Middle East have joined forces to invite beauty queens representing Muslim countries to promote this endeavor.
The Philippine government has identified boosting foreign arrivals from the Middle East and Muslim-majority nations as one of its priority goals. With the Muslim travel market predicted to reach $225 billion by 2028, attracting the global Muslim community to visit the Philippines is seen as a significant opportunity.
Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar stated, “Miss Universe’s trip to the Philippines would be a big boost for our country that would hopefully influence the global Muslim community to visit the archipelago nation, which is home to white sand beaches, famous diving spots, lively entertainment, diverse cultural heritage, and distinctive wildlife.”
The Farm at San Benito, an eco-luxury holistic medical wellness resort, is leading the charge in showcasing halal experiences for global travelers. For the past two decades, The Farm has been prioritizing self-care, holistic healing, and cultural inclusivity while promoting the serene beauty and heartfelt Filipino service and care.
At The Farm, guests can experience the “Filipino Brand of Wellness,” which incorporates traditional Philippine Healing Art designed by integrative medicine doctors and Filipino therapists. The resort uses Virgin Coconut Oil and locally sourced medicinal herbs for spa treatments. The accommodations follow a Filipino aesthetic, featuring local artisan handicrafts that showcase Filipino creativity and culture.
The Farm’s ALIVE! restaurant is Halal-certified and serves high-nutrition, organic dishes. The ingredients are handpicked from the property’s organic gardens, offering a Filipino menu that incorporates wellness cuisine. Each dish is presented as a vegan feast, emphasizing the healing positive energy that The Farm represents.
Jennifer Sanvictores, Global Head of Sales, Marketing & Communications for The Farm at San Benito & CG Hospitality, expressed delight in the alliance with the beauty queens from Arab and Muslim countries, highlighting the opportunity to attract travelers from the Gulf and the ASEAN region to The Farm or any other destination in the Philippines with Halal certification.
Josh Yugen, owner and editor-in-chief of XPEDITION Magazine, also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to promote his country to Arab, Middle East, and Muslim countries. He emphasized the importance of providing options for halal-certified establishments and world-class wellness programs to attract travelers.
Miss Universe Bahrain, Pakistan, and Egypt will be staying in the Philippines for a few more weeks to commence training for the upcoming Miss Universe competition. They will be supported by an entire Filipino team to prepare them for the competition. Overall, their involvement as advocates for this campaign is expected to effectively reach target audiences and promote the Philippines as an attractive destination for halal and wellness tourism.
