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

Recognition underscores Ensign’s role as a trusted cybersecurity advisor to organisations navigating complex cyber risks, regulatory change and emerging threats

HONG KONG, May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ensign InfoSecurity (Ensign) has been named Cybersecurity Consultancy of the Year at the Tech Fest Hong Kong Awards 2026. The award recognises cybersecurity consultancies that demonstrate strong expertise, measurable client impact, innovative solutions and meaningful contributions to the wider cybersecurity community.

As organisations in Hong Kong face rising cyber risks and prepare for emerging regulatory requirements, including the Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Ordinance, Ensign has worked closely with boards, senior management and security teams to help them make better cybersecurity decisions grounded in business risk, operational reality and real-world threats. Its consulting work spans strategic cyber advisory, threat-informed resilience planning, executive tabletop exercises and practical regulatory readiness guidance, supporting organisations in identifying critical risks, strengthening response preparedness and aligning cybersecurity with board-level priorities.

As part of Asia Pacific’s largest pure-play cybersecurity services provider, Ensign brings end-to-end capabilities across the cyber lifecycle, spanning advisory and assurance, threat intelligence, managed security operations and incident response. The consulting team in Hong Kong draws on this breadth, as well as insights from Ensign’s global Security Operations Centre network and proprietary threat intelligence, to deliver recommendations that are current, actionable and grounded in how threats unfold in practice.

“Cybersecurity consultancy today is no longer just about identifying gaps but helping organisations understand what those gaps mean for the business, how they affect resilience, and what practical steps leaders need to take. Cyber resilience is ultimately a shared responsibility across leadership, technology and operations, and we remain committed to supporting organisations in Hong Kong as they strengthen their cyber maturity, prepare for regulatory change and build the confidence to operate securely in an increasingly digital economy. This recognition is a testament to the trust our clients place in us, and to the commitment of our teams in Hong Kong and across the region,” said Nicky Au, General Manager, Greater Bay Area, Ensign InfoSecurity (East Asia) Limited.

Beyond client work, Ensign has contributed to broader cyber readiness through industry knowledge sharing, practitioner workshops and thought leadership, including practical guidance to help organisations navigate the city’s evolving critical infrastructure protection requirements.

Ensign also continues to invest in innovation, developing advanced proprietary capabilities, including agentic Security Operations Centre solutions that enhance the speed, consistency and effectiveness of cyber defence for clients across the region.

About Ensign InfoSecurity 

Ensign InfoSecurity is Asia Pacific’s largest pure-play cybersecurity services provider and a trusted global partner, delivering end-to-end security solutions across the cyber lifecycle. Headquartered in Singapore, Ensign is recognised for deep capabilities spanning advisory and assurance, secure architecture and systems integration, threat intelligence, managed security operations, and incident response. Ensign also drives its own innovation through Ensign Labs, developing advanced proprietary solutions to address complex customer challenges. With over two decades of experience, Ensign provides resilient, intelligence-led security tailored to real business risks.

For more information, visit www.ensigninfosecurity.com 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ensign-infosecurity-named-cybersecurity-consultancy-of-the-year-at-tech-fest-hong-kong-awards-2026-302781421.html

SOURCE Ensign InfoSecurity

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

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-the-yangtze-to-the-mekong-youth-across-borders-unlock-rivers-green-code-302781431.html

SOURCE JiangsuNow