The DOT-7 reported that accredited tourism enterprises in Central Visayas, which comprises Cebu and Bohol, two of the country's major tourism destinations, reached 3,500 as of Sept. 30, up from 2,804 during the same period last year.
DOT-7 acting director Gelena Asis-Dimpas urged tourism establishments and service providers to take advantage of the continued waiver of accreditation processing fees, which previously cost larger establishments thousands of pesos annually.
The fee waiver was introduced under DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2022-001 to help tourism businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. It has since been extended.
Asis-Dimpas said more tourism enterprises, particularly those outside the accommodation sector, were recognizing the benefits of government accreditation.
“Accreditation opens up a full range of ASEAN-aligned support for businesses, entrepreneurs, and practitioners, and promotes solid tourist safety industry-wide,” she said.
Perks
Accredited enterprises gain access to DOT-led training programs, travel and tourism expos, marketing activities and listings on official tourism platforms.
These include the newly launched Discover More to Love platform, which increases the visibility of accredited tourism businesses through the DOT's 12 foreign offices and five market representatives worldwide.
Accreditation also allows tourism businesses to receive endorsements from the DOT for certain privileges and exemptions.
For instance, accredited hotels and restaurants may be endorsed to the Commission on Elections for exemptions from liquor bans during election periods. They may also be recommended to embassies and travel trade associations as accommodation providers or event venues.
Tourist land transport operators may likewise secure DOT endorsements to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for vehicle franchise applications.
Asis-Dimpas said accreditation also provides tourism stakeholders with opportunities to participate in consultations and contribute to policies affecting the industry.
“Accredited stakeholders are helping shape more responsive and future ready policies, and the impact will only grow as more enterprises participate,” she said.
Water transport operators
DOT-7 also reported that 263 water transport operators across Central Visayas had secured accreditation as of Sept. 30.
These operators manage various vessels, including 560 motorized boats used for island-hopping tours and diving activities.
Marlon Barrientos, DOT-7 tourism regulations division chief, urged travel agencies and tourists to check whether tourism establishments and service providers were accredited before booking trips and tours.
Under Republic Act No. 9593, or the Tourism Act of 2009, accreditation is mandatory for primary tourism enterprises, including hotels, resorts, travel agencies and tourist land and water transport operators.
Barrientos said the accreditation process had become more convenient through the DOT's online application system at accreditation.tourism.gov.ph.
The agency also conducts Mobile Accreditation Caravans in partnership with local government units to bring accreditation services closer to tourism operators.
“The process is now so convenient, so it is very beneficial to stakeholders,” Barrientos said.
DOT-7 said the continued fee waiver also complements the national government's Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), which aims to help households and businesses cope with the economic impact of the Middle East crisis. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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