The Department of Tourism (DOT) Mimaropa encouraged tourism establishments in the region to become DOT-accredited, highlighting its tourism promotion and training benefits.
What is DOT Accreditation?
DOT Accreditation is a certification issued by the Department to a tourism enterprise that officially recognizes its compliance with minimum standards for operating tourism facilities and services.
“Ang accreditation system po natin ngayon ay actually naka-align ‘yan sa doon sa mga existing laws of the national gov and the local government (The accreditation system is aligned to existing laws of the national and the local government),” DOT Mimaropa Regional Director Roberto P. Alabado III explained during the July 9 episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas.
Alabado added that tourism enterprises must follow these laws, particularly accessibility and security laws, to meet the minimum requirement for accreditation.
“Ang nakalagay po sa batas, kapag ikaw ay isang hotel o isang accommodation, dapat po mayroon po tayong access para sa mga PWD (Person With Disabilities)…hindi tayo exclusive, inclusive tayo. ‘Pag sinabi nating inclusive, sana po tingnan natin na ang mga naka wheelchair at mga matatanda ay pwede maging turista,” he said.
(Under the law, a hotel or an accommodation should have access points for PWDs. We are inclusive, not exclusive. This means that we should consider that tourists can be people who are in wheelchairs or the elderly.)
Also, Alabado said that installing CCTVs in the establishments’ premises is also an important factor in becoming DOT-accredited as it buffs the security for the enterprises and their guests.
What are the benefits of becoming DOT-accredited?
Alabado emphasized two benefits being enjoyed by DOT-accredited enterprises. First is free training to ensure that the workers in the tourism industry are equipped with skills and knowledge to cater to the industry’s demands.
He explained that this outweighs the expenses for the accreditation application, as training can cost ₱2,000 to ₱3,000 a day when availed from commercial providers.
The second is promotion and marketing. DOT-accredited establishments are uploaded on the DOT website and can be accessed by scanning the QR code posted on different platforms.
“Ang mensahe po namin kung gusto niyo [na] safe and enjoy ang inyong bakasyon, pumunta po kayo rito sa accredited na mga DOT establishments. So machechek na po agad ng mga turista, accredited ba ‘tong nakuha [nating enterprise] o hindi,” Alabado said.
(Our message is that if you want a safe and enjoyable vacation, go to DOT-accredited establishments. Tourists can easily check if their booked enterprise is accredited or not.)
As of July 4, 2024, there are over 1,000 accredited tourist enterprises in Mimaropa. This includes tour operators, travel and tour agencies, transport operators, recreation centers, restaurants, resorts, hotels and homestays, agritourism farm sites, specialty shops, and Mabuhay accommodations.
For more information about DOT Accreditation and its requirements, and the list of accredited tourism establishments, you may visit https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/accreditations/. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA-Occidental Mindoro)
