MANILA, Philippines, May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Philippines continues to strengthen its position as a rising Muslim-friendly destination in Asia, welcoming travelers from the Middle East and the wider Muslim world through a growing ecosystem of halal- and Muslim-friendly tourism experiences. This momentum is further complemented by the country’s strong tourism and cultural ties with neighboring Muslim-majority countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia under the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Recently recognized by Mastercard-CrescentRating as a rising Muslim-friendly destination and ranked 8th among non-OIC destinations in the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), the Philippines continues to gain international recognition for its efforts in advancing halal- and Muslim-friendly tourism. Across the archipelago, travelers can now experience a growing range of accommodations, halal-certified dining establishments, cultural attractions, and tourism services designed to support the faith-based needs of Muslim travelers while offering authentic cultural and heritage experiences.

Beyond tourism infrastructure, the Philippines is also investing in workforce development, destination preparedness, and cultural awareness initiatives to strengthen the delivery of halal and Muslim-friendly tourism services nationwide. The Department of Tourism (DOT) continues to support this growth through the implementation of its Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment (MFAE) Recognition Program across hotels and tourism establishments, while also encouraging halal certification among restaurants, accommodations, and tourism service providers throughout the country.

Growing Halal Travel Infrastructure and Experiences

Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure continues to expand across the Philippines, supported by the DOT’s nationwide halal tourism development initiatives. To date, the DOT has officially recognized 67 Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments (MFAEs) across the country, reflecting the Philippines’ continuing commitment to strengthening its halal and Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem. Leading this effort is Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the first hotel chain in the Philippines to achieve 100% MFAE recognition across all of its properties, further reinforcing the country’s growing portfolio of Muslim-friendly accommodations.

Alongside infrastructure development, the Philippines also takes pride in strengthening the cultural awareness and preparedness of its tourism workforce. Through various training and capacity-building initiatives conducted by the DOT, an estimated 3,000 tourism frontliners and stakeholders nationwide have received specialized training on the fundamentals of halal, understanding Muslim travelers and guests, and the importance of culturally sensitive and respectful service. Among the country’s leading destinations, Boracay continues to strengthen its position as a Muslim-friendly island destination through initiatives such as Marhaba Boracay, which features an 800-square-meter beach cove dedicated for Muslim families. Boracay, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, and Metro Manila continue to feature a growing number of halal-certified dining establishments, prayer facilities, and tourism services designed to support the needs and comfort of Muslim travelers.

Beyond accommodations and dining, the Philippines offers Muslim travelers opportunities to experience the country’s rich cultural diversity through heritage tours, island and nature experiences, vibrant local communities, and visits to Islamic heritage sites across Mindanao. From pristine beaches and tropical islands to dynamic urban centers and cultural destinations, the country continues to position itself as a welcoming destination where Muslim travelers can enjoy meaningful journeys grounded in hospitality, inclusivity, and cultural understanding.

Strategic Engagement with Muslim Travel Markets

The Department of Tourism continues to strengthen its engagement with key Muslim travel markets, including the Middle East and neighboring Muslim-majority countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Through international promotions, tourism collaborations, targeted destination campaigns, and the Muslim-Friendly Travelogue of the Philippines, the country continues to highlight its expanding tourism offerings, accessibility, and commitment to inclusive travel experiences. The three-volume travelogue series showcases the Philippines through curated features on halal and local cuisine, diverse tourism destinations, and the country’s growing Muslim-friendly tourism initiatives and experiences.

Direct connectivity from key international gateways to destinations such as Manila, Cebu, and Clark allows convenient access to the country’s diverse tourism destinations, while domestic connectivity supports seamless multi-destination travel across the archipelago. As the global halal travel market continues to grow, the Philippines remains committed to offering travel experiences rooted in hospitality, cultural diversity, and respectful understanding of Muslim traditions and values.

For more information, visit the Department of Tourism Philippines’ official website  tourism.gov.ph.

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SOURCE Department of Tourism Philippines

NANJING, China, May 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A report from JiangsuNow.

Civilizations are born, thrive, and endure alongside rivers. For millennia, rivers have not only nourished the earth but have also defined the eternal quest for harmony between humanity and nature.

To mark the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, a special dialogue took place by the Yangtze River. Jiang Meng, Secretary-General of the Nanjing Finless Porpoise Aquatic Life Protection Association, joined Nguyen Thi Ngan Ha, a Vietnamese student focused on water conservation of the Lancang-Mekong river basin.

Watch video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCdOFmnw27U

From China’s efforts to protect the Yangtze finless porpoise to broader discussions on international water resource conservation, the two environmental advocates shared their experiences and reflections on river governance and ecological protection.

Coming from different countries but sharing the same original aspiration, people are walking hand-in-hand to discuss ecology and build a sustainable future—a vivid reflection of “Green Code, Chinese Wisdom.”

Original link: https://www.jiangsunow.com/news/202605/t20260525_s6a13f2a9e4b0e575e19bf5d0.shtml

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SOURCE JiangsuNow

The region’s most authoritative marketer-judged awards programme returns, recognizing outstanding agency, brand, and leadership excellence across Asia Pacific

HONG KONG, May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Campaign Asia-Pacific, Haymarket Media Asia’s industry-leading marcomms title, today announced that nominations for the 2026 Campaign Asia Agency of the Year Awards will open on Tuesday, 9 June 2026.

Recognised as the most prestigious and trusted benchmark for marketing communications excellence in Asia-Pacific, the Awards celebrate outstanding work across agencies, brands, and leaders who have delivered measurable impact, innovation, and growth in an increasingly competitive and evolving industry.

The industry benchmark for credibility and trust

Since its inception in the early 1990s, Campaign’s Agency of the Year Awards has remained the region’s definitive standard for recognising agency excellence. It is widely regarded by both client marketers and agencies as the most credible validation of performance and impact in the industry.

What sets the programme apart is its fully marketer-led judging process. Senior client-side marketers from across Asia-Pacific are appointed to evaluate entries based on strategic effectiveness, creativity, and business results – ensuring a rigorous, impartial, and commercially grounded assessment.

Further strengthening governance and transparency is the appointment of SCS-Invictus Group as Process Integrity Partner for the 2026 Awards to independently verify all results.

Recognising excellence across a changing industry

Agency of the Year celebrates excellence across both network and independent agencies, recognising outstanding work in local markets while also highlighting regional achievement.

Spanning six sub-regions across Asia-Pacific: Australia/New Zealand, Greater China, Japan/Korea, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and APAC, the programme covers 22 local markets. Entries are open across three core pillars: Agency, People, and Brand.

APAC categories recognise leaders and teams operating across multiple markets, highlighting excellence in cross-border strategy, leadership, and regional business impact.

Campaign’s Agency of the Year initiative provides winning agencies with the opportunity to gain recognition beyond their home markets, strengthening both regional visibility and local credibility. The beauty of the programme is that it gives agencies the opportunity to compete within their local market, with the chance to be recognised on the regional (and global) stage.

All Agency, People, and Brand categories are open to both network and independent agencies, recognising excellence across the full breadth of the industry.

The Independent Agency category is the only dedicated stream exclusively for independent agencies, providing a platform to showcase market-level excellence while contributing towards broader regional recognition.

New categories reflecting the industry’s digital and AI transformation

The 2026 edition introduces new categories that reflect the increasing impact of AI, marketing technology, and innovation in shaping the future of the marketing and communications industry across Asia-Pacific.

Developed following consultation with the industry, these new categories spotlight organisations and teams that are pushing boundaries in AI adoption, marketing technology, and innovation excellence.

New Agency Categories

Agency AI Excellence of the YearMarTech Agency of the Year

New People Category

Most Innovative MarTech Team of the Year

“At a time when the industry is being reshaped by change at every level, Campaign’s Agency of the Year Awards continue to represent the most trusted measure of success,” says says Atifa Silk, managing director of Haymarket Media Asia. “This is not an award decided by peers within the same competitive set; it is judged by senior marketers who understand what effectiveness truly means for business outcomes,”

“That independence is what makes it the benchmark for the industry,” she adds. “We encourage agencies, brands, and leaders across Asia-Pacific to put forward their best work, teams and people to be recognised for the impact they have made in a year defined by both challenge and opportunity.”

Key Dates for 2026

Awards Ceremonies

Register your interest: https://bit.ly/AOY2026-register
For more information, visit: aoyawards.com
Past winners: aoyawards.com/winners
Enquiries: aoy@haymarket.asia

Campaign Asia-Pacific is pleased to announce PR Newswire as the official media partner for the 2026 Agency of the Year Awards.

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Danika Wong
danika.wong@haymarket.asia
Senior Marketing Manager 
Haymarket Media Limited

Agency of the Year Awards
Since the 1990s, Campaign Asia’s Agency of the Year Awards has been Asia-Pacific’s most trusted benchmark for marketing excellence. The Awards are judged exclusively by senior client-side marketers, independently verified by SCS-Invictus Group, and recognize outstanding achievements across agencies, people, and brands across five regional markets.
www.aoyawards.com

SCS-Invictus Group
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Singapore, SCS-Invictus Group is a global professional services firm with offices in over 20 locations worldwide. Specialising in accounting, tax, advisory, and assurance services, the group brings together more than 500 professionals across APAC, EMEA, and North America.

With strong local market presence and cross-border expertise, SCS-Invictus Group supports clients in navigating financial, tax, and regulatory complexities through practical, commercially focused solutions aligned to their strategic and operational needs. Its professionals bring extensive industry experience, including backgrounds from the Big Four, global consultancies, and leading financial institutions, enabling a strong understanding of clients’ organisations, operating models, and market environments.
www.scsinvictus.com

Campaign Asia-Pacific
Campaign Asia-Pacific delivers unparalleled insights into the ideas, work, and people shaping the marketing communications industry. By fostering open, honest dialogue and showcasing game-changing innovation, the platform has become an indispensable resource for marketing professionals across the region and beyond.
www.campaignasia.com 

Haymarket Media Group
Haymarket Media Group is a global media, information, and technology company with more than 70 market-leading brands and operations across key markets including the UK, US, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India. As the parent company of Campaign Asia-Pacific, Haymarket is dedicated to delivering specialist content, insights, and experiences that connect professional communities worldwide.
www.haymarket.com

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SOURCE Haymarket Media Limited