The Universal Islamic Center (UIC) and the Philippine Halal Trade & Tourism have teamed with AirAsia Philippines to market the nation as a Halal-friendly travel destination.

The Philippines is primarily a Catholic nation, with 86% of its citizens practicing Roman Catholicism and 6% practicing Islam.

"AirAsia is pleased to set the standard for inclusive travel experiences by developing cutting-edge offerings. In a statement, AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla stated, "We're constantly improving our offerings and making sure that Muslim friends feel welcomed and truly at home when they visit our beautiful country."

“Through this, we hope to win their hearts and make them visit the Philippines more often, either for leisure or business travel,” Isla added.

According to the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board, the Philippine Halal industry is estimated to be worth $1.6 billion.

This figure is expected to grow especially with the Philippines being home to the third largest Muslim population in Southeast Asia, and a favorite alternative to other holiday destinations in the Southeast Asian region.

AirAsia Philippines also said it hopes to reinforce the growth of the Philippine Halal industry and entice more to visit the country by spearheading innovations and programs geared towards the promotion of Halal.

A Halal-friendly destination is a city that focuses on the specific preferences and requirements of Muslim travelers. These faith-based needs include halal food, prayer facilities and recreational spaces with privacy for women.

In Asia, top Halal-friendly tourist destinations include Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Maldives, and Turkey.