As global travel and tourism steadily move toward recovery, Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines have joined efforts to increase visitor arrivals and promote their tourist destinations and attractions, particularly Muslim-friendly and halal tourism offerings.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) to boost tourism cooperation was signed during the state visit of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the sultanate in May, along with other agreements on maritime, seafaring, and food security and agriculture. Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah and President Marcos witnessed the signing of the agreements.
The state visit marks 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which are both member countries of BIMP-EAGA.
Areas of cooperation
The MOU on tourism cooperation was signed between the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) of Brunei and the Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Philippines. The last tourism cooperation agreement between the two countries was signed 13 years ago.
The MOU outlines several areas of cooperation, subject to the respective laws, rules, regulations, and national policies of the countries. These include:
- Promoting Muslim-friendly tourism and halal tourism concepts in infrastructure, facilities, products, and services;
- Sharing best practices in the organization, management, and business operation of tourism activities;
- Conducting training and capacity development for tourism personnel and stakeholders and facilitate academic networking and exchanges;
- Collaborating on advertising and promotion initiatives;
- Creating and promoting tour packages that highlight the unique attractions of both countries;
- Supporting the enhancement and management of medical and health tourism;
- Encouraging public sector and private sector investment in tourism programs and projects;
- Promoting community-based tourism and eco-tourism initiatives;
- Encouraging business tourism, including meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE);
- Exchanging publications, research studies, and data on tourism legislation and statistics;
- Sharing experiences related to official standards and certifications in tourism;
- Facilitating the exchange of experts and information technology and undertaking joint comparative studies on training programs and skills improvement.
- Developing and exchanging programs related to gender, sustainable tourism, and accessible tourism for all; and
- Promoting commercial arrangements among national airlines.
At present, three airlines—Royal Brunei Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific—have direct flights between Brunei’s capital Banda Seri Begawan and the Philippines’ capital Manila.
Muslim travel trends
Both countries are keen to attract Muslim travelers.
The Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) sees a significant uptick in the Muslim travel market this year, with global international arrivals potentially reaching up to 168 million, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by as much as 5%.
Brunei currently ranks 9th among the top Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations in the GMTI. Top destinations include iconic structures, such as the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
Among non-OIC destinations, the Philippines has steadily increased its appeal to Muslim tourists by strategically developing its halal tourism portfolio, enhancing halal accreditation of hotels and restaurants, and conducting halal awareness orientations. Based on GMTI 2023 results, the country was given the Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year award at the Halal in Travel Global Summit last year.
As a subregion, BIMP-EAGA is itself a major Muslim-friendly destination. Indonesia and Malaysia, the other two member countries of the subregion, tied for the top spot among 145 destinations in the 2024 GMTI study. The subregion’s large Muslim population also makes it a key halal tourism market.
Other agreements
During the state visit, an MOU on the mutual recognition of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates was also signed between the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications of Brunei and the Department of Transportation of the Philippines. This replaces and updates a 2001 memorandum.
The two countries agreed to further cooperation on such areas as pollution, skills training, research, and information sharing through the MOU on maritime cooperation, which was signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.
A Letter of Intent was executed between the Agriculture and Agrifood Department of the Ministry of Agriculture of Brunei and the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines to renew the MOU on food security and agricultural cooperation, particularly in sustainable agriculture.
The two countries have been exploring opportunities in the trade of rice and halal goods. Last year, the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture said it was considering exports of Jasmine and sticky rice variants to Brunei between 2024 and 2025. It added that Brunei may export halal beef, lamb, and other meat products to the Philippines as well as open the sultanate to Philippine industries seeking to produce halal products.
Brunei has a strong halal ecosystem with certification standards considered to be among the best in the world.