2. THE TOURISM ACT OF 2009
R.A. 9593
Formulate and implement a national
standard for the operation and
maintenance of tourism enterprises,
prescribing minimum levels of
quality and efficiency in order to
ensure that facilities and services are
maintained in accordance with
acceptable local and international
standards.
OFFICE OF TOURISM STANDARDS AND
REGULATION
ACCREDITATION DIVISION
3. Why Are Tourism Standards Important?
ENHANCED CUSTOMER SERVICE
8. a certification issued by the Department
to a tourism enterprise that officially
recognizes it as having complied with
the minimum standards for the
operation of tourism facilities and
services.
9. Benefits of DOT Accreditation
Marketing and promotional incentives such as
inclusion in travel fairs and events
Inclusion in website list of accredited enterprises
Priority to DOT Training Programs
Endorsement to embassies and travel trade
association/s for utilization of establishment’s
facilities and services
Endorsement to international and domestic airports
(if appropriate) for issuance of Access Pass to
qualified personnel
Suggested minimum number of inbound pax: 100
Issuance of DOT ID card to bonafide employees
10. STEPS IN APPLYING FOR ONLINEACCREDITATION
(New & Renewal Application)
http://accreditationonline.tourism.gov.ph
12. DEFINITION
TOUR OPERATOR - an entity which may either be a single
proprietorship, partnership or corporation regularly
engaged in the business of extending to individuals or
groups, such services pertaining to arrangements and
bookings for transportation and/or accommodation,
handling and/or conduct of inbound tours whether or not
for a fee, commission, or any form of compensation
13. QUALIFICATIONS
Resident Filipino citizen
Partnership organized under Philippine laws, at least 60% of
its capital owned by a Filipino citizen
Corporations organized under Philippine Laws, at least 60%
of the subscribed common or voting shares of stock is
owned by Filipino citizens and the composition of the Board
of Directors being at least 60%
14. OFFICE REQUIREMENTS
Commercial district
Easily identifiable
Exclusive for the travel and tour operations
Minimum of three (3) employees
• (1 General Manager and 2 permanent staff)
15. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
For Single Proprietorship, DTI Business Name Certificate
For Corporations/Partnership, SEC Registration Certificate
First page of the Articles of Incorporation (AOI) with the seal which also states
the trade name of the entity being applied for
Articles of Cooperation (for Cooperatives)
Primary purpose
First page of Secondary purpose
List of Incorporators and Capitalization (Articles 7-9)
Treasurer's Affidavit
First page of By-laws
any amendment to the AOI/By-laws as approved by SEC
General Information Sheet for Renewal
Mayor’s Permit
Working Permit from DOLE/Valid Visa from BI (For foreign nationals)
16. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
Proof of working capital of P500,000.00
For Existing Enterprises: Audited Financial Statement
For New Enterprises: Bank certificate
Tour packages with itinerary
For tour operators with branches, affidavit acknowledging the
existence of the branch office
For General Managers, proof of 3 years managerial experience or
undertaking Tourism Management Course
For Stand-alone structures, valid Fire Safety Inspection Certificate
For those applying for service vehicles
LTO Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration
Motor Vehicle Personal Accident Insurance (car - P125,000.00, van -P250,000.00)
18. DEFINITION
TOUR OPERATOR – an enterprise regularly engaged in
the business of inbound and/or local tour operation
such as making online reservations, arranging and
booking for transportation and accommodation,
handling and/or conducting tours for a fee,
commission, or any form of remuneration.
TRAVEL AGENCY – an enterprise regularly engaged in
the business of providing services such as
reservations/bookings, documentation of travel
papers, sales and/or issuance of tickets and selling of
outbound tours for a fee, commission, or any form of
remuneration
19. DEFINITION
TRAVEL AND TOUR AGENCY – an enterprise
regularly engaged in both tour operator and
travel agency services
ONLINE TRAVEL AGENCY – shall mean a
travel agency whose operations are largely
done online through websites dedicated to
travel and tour operations.
20. DEFINITION
INBOUND TOUR – a tour of non-residents of the
Philippines in the country
LOCAL TOUR – a tour of residents of the
Philippines within the country
OUTBOUND TOUR – a tour of residents from
the Philippines to another country
21. QUALIFICATIONS
Resident Filipino citizen registered as single or sole
proprietorship
Partnership organized under Philippine laws, at least 60% of
its capital owned by a Filipino citizen
Corporations organized under Philippine Laws, at least 60%
of the subscribed common or voting shares of stock is
owned by Filipino citizens and the composition of the Board
of Directors being at least 60%
Cooperative duly organized under Philippine laws
24. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
For Single Proprietorship, DTI Business Name Certificate
For Corporations/Partnership, SEC Registration Certificate
First page of the Articles of Incorporation (AOI) with the seal which
also states the trade name of the entity being applied for
Articles of Cooperation (for Cooperatives)
Primary purpose
First page of Secondary purpose
List of Incorporators and Capitalization (Articles 7-9)
Treasurer's Affidavit
any amendment to the AOI/By-laws as approved by SEC
Mayor’s Permit
Working Permit from DOLE/Valid Visa from BI (For foreign
nationals)
28. SUPERVISION
Surrender of officers’/employees’ ID upon
termination
DOT access to the agency office’s records for
verification of compliance with the standards
Display of DOT Accreditation seal/sticker in a
conspicuous place
Non-transferability of Accreditation
Automatic withdrawal of dormant Applications
(inactive for 60 days)
Periodic Inspection by DOT team
Rectification of defects and deficiencies within a
reasonable period of time
29. ONLINE TRAVEL AGENCIES
Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) shall comply with the minimum
office requirements although their transactions are largely
done online.
All websites offering online payment schemes shall be
compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
(PCI-DSS) and be encrypted with Security Socket Layer (SSL)
to ensure that no personal information such as credit card
numbers are stored in the website.
30. WEBSITE INFORMATION
All accredited OTAs and Travel and Tour Agencies
shall display the following in their websites
Correct and full information of the company
including key officials and contact details
Valid accreditation number with expiry date
31. TOUR COORDINATOR/ TOUR ESCORT
The tour coordinator or a foreign tour escort shall
in no circumstance act as a tour guide.
The presence of tour coordinators/tour escorts may
be allowed provided that there is an accompanying
DOT-accredited tour guide .
33. FEES
SURCHARGE
Additional amount equivalent to 50%of the accreditation
fee for renewals made after June 30 and another 100%
shall be collected for every preceding year thereafter
34. GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION/REVOCATION
A. Making any false declaration or statement or making use of any
such declaration or statement or any document containing the
same or committing fraud or any act of misrepresentation for
the purpose of obtaining the grant of accreditation
B. Failure to maintain the standards and requirements for
accreditation
C. Gross and evident bad faith in dealing with clients / fraudulent
solicitation of business
D. Tolerance of gross misconduct, discourtesy, dishonesty or
misrepresentation committed by any of the operator’s officers
or employees against its clients to the deterrent of the tourism
industry
35. GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION/REVOCATION
E. Employment or hiring of non-DOT accredited
tourism
frontliners or engaging the services of non-DOT accredited
tourism establishments/ vehicles except in areas where there
are no DOT accredited tour guides /trainers / vehicles /
establishments available
F. Failure to specify in any form of advertisement or medium of
information the DOT accreditation number with validity
G. Promoting, facilitating or conducting activities involving drugrelated transactions, prostitution or sex tourism
H. Violation of or non-compliance with any of the provisions of
these rules, promulgated orders, decisions and circulars issued
by the Department and other concerned government agencies;
I. Any other act or omission that works against the interest of the
tourism industry.
36. GROUNDS FOR DENIAL
A. Non-settlement of the complaint filed against them with the Department
B. Cancellation/Revocation of Accreditation
PENALTIES
First Offense - Six (6) months Suspension of Accreditation
Second Offense - One (1) year Suspension of Accreditation
Third Offense - Revocation of Accreditation
39. OFFICE REQUIREMENT
Standard
PRESENT
Office Size
Location
Use of Office
Minimum number of
employees
REVISED
20 sq.m.
Commercial
Area/District
Commercial
Building
Exclusively for
Tour Operation
Business
Exclusively for
Tour Operation
Business
3
3
(General Manager & 2
permanent staff)
(General Manager,
Product Development
Officer;and
ticketing/reservation
officer)
41. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
Documents
PRESENT
REVISED
Working Capital of
P500,000.00
✔
✔
Audited Financial
Statement
✔
✔
Summary of Sales
Report
Surety Bond
(in favor of LGU)
LGU Requirement
Professional
Indemnity/CGL
with coverage of
P1,000,000.00
X
Proof of Managerial
Experience
✔
