CV tourism accreditations rise 25% on fee waiver

CEBU, Philippines — The number of tourism establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas (DOT-7) rose 25 percent from a year earlier, as the government continues to waive processing fees to encourage more businesses to meet industry standards and improve their access to tourism markets.

DOT-7 had accredited 3,500 establishments as of Sept. 30, up from 2,804 a year earlier, reflecting growing participation in a program that provides businesses with access to government training, trade events and promotional platforms.

The agency is urging tourism operators to take advantage of the continuing fee waiver and simplified documentation requirements, which is seen to help businesses strengthen their market visibility and improve service standards.

“Accreditation opens up a full range of ASEAN-aligned support for businesses, entrepreneurs, and practitioners, and promotes solid tourist safety industry-wide,” said Gelena Asis-Dimpas, officer in charge of the DOT-7 regional office.

Accredited businesses can participate in department-led training programs, travel expos and market activation events. They can also be listed on the tourism department’s “Discover More to Love” platform, which promotes registered enterprises through the agency’s overseas offices and market representatives, Asis-Dimpas said.

Accreditation also enables the department to endorse qualified businesses to other government agencies and industry organizations for specific privileges, including hotels and restaurants seeking exemptions from election-period liquor restrictions, accommodation providers seeking embassy and travel trade referrals, and tourist transport operators applying for vehicle franchises.

The expansion of accreditation has extended beyond hotels and other traditional tourism businesses to water transport operators, which play a key role in island-hopping and diving activities across the region.

DOT-7 recorded a total of 263 water transport operators in Central Visayas had received accreditation as of Sept. 30, managing vessels that include 560 motorized boats used for tourism activities.

The agency is also encouraging travelers and travel agents to verify accreditation before booking tours and transportation services.

Accreditation is mandatory under Republic Act 9593 for primary tourism enterprises, including hotels, resorts, travel agencies and land and water tourist transport operators.

DOT has moved applications online through its accreditation portal and deployed mobile accreditation caravans in partnership with local governments to reach operators outside major urban centers, said Marlon Barrientos, chief of the Tourism Regulations Division.

The processing fee waiver, introduced under Memorandum Circular 2022-001 to support the industry’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, remains in effect indefinitely, the department said.

The policy complements the government’s Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport, or UPLIFT, established under Executive Order No. 110 to help households and businesses manage economic pressures linked to the Middle East crisis.

According to Asis-Dimpas wider participation in accreditation could also give tourism businesses a greater voice in shaping industry policies, while improving compliance with standards intended to support visitor safety and service quality.