Industry Consultation Workshop on Progressive Accreditation System Office of Tourism Standards and Regulation Department of Tourism
Progressive Accreditation System: Revolutionizing the DOT Accreditation System Office of Tourism Standards and Regulation Department of Tourism
Progressive Accreditation System (PAS) A three-level recognition scheme of the DOT for Primary Tourism Enterprises entailing progressive minimum standards and reflecting customers expectations.
Objectives To make DOT accreditation system more inclusive To motivate stakeholders to maintain and improve the quality of their property s facilities and services To develop a database of primary tourism enterprises in the country
Progressive Accreditation System (3-Levels) DOT ACCREDITATION - 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. Registration Regular Accreditation Star Accreditation Registration of an enterprise which major operation is of touristic value and were found to be compliant with the basic requirements set by the DOT Registration shall be valid for a period of 1 year. Certification granted to tourism establishments found to be compliant with the minimum standards expected of DOT- accredited establishment Accreditation shall be valid for a period of 2 years. Certification granted to tourism establishments found to be exceeding the minimum standards under the Regular Accreditation and have met the customer's expectations for star rated establishment. Accreditation shall be valid for a period of 3 years.
General Requirements
General Requirements Registration Comply with the basic requirements as prescribed in the Self-Assessment Form (SAF) Undergo preliminary inspection of its premises and facilities Submit a validly issued Mayor s or Business Permit Regular Accreditation Comply with the prescribed minimum standards for DOTaccredited tourism establishment Complete the online accreditation cycle Undergo full inspection of its premises, facilities and services Submit a validly issued Mayor s or Business Permit and other documents as required Must not have been found liable for any violation of the DOT rules and must not have unpaid fines imposed by the DOT Star Accreditation Comply with the standards for regular accreditation and meet the customers expectations as reflected in the Star Accreditation Complete the online accreditation cycle Undergo full inspection of its premises, facilities and services Submit validly issued Mayor s or Business Permit and other documents as required Must not have been found liable for any violation of the DOT rules and must not have unpaid fines imposed by the DOT
Specific Requirements
Travel and Tour Agencies a.tour Operator - shall mean any person or entity engaged in the business of inbound and/or local tour operation such as organizing and/or conducting tours as well as making online reservations, arranging and booking for transportation and accommodation for a fee, commission, or any form of remuneration. b.travel Agency - shall mean any person or entity engaged in the business of providing travel- related service such as transportation or accommodation reservations/bookings, documentation of travel papers, sale and/or issuance of tickets and selling of outbound tours for a fee, commission, or any form of remuneration. c. Travel and Tour Agency - shall mean a primary tourism enterprise regularly engaged in both Tour Operator and Travel Agency services, as defined in (a) and (b). d.online Travel and Tour Agency - shall mean any person or entity whose operations are solely conducted through websites and other online platform dedicated to travel and tour operations.
Travel and Tour Agencies Documentary Requirements Basic Registration Valid Mayor s/ Business Permit Regular Accreditation Valid Mayor s/ Business Permit SEC/DTI Registration, whichever is applicable Star Accreditation Valid Mayor s/ Business Permit SEC/DTI Registration, whichever is applicable Recognition from reputable institutions or external bodies Proof of Membership to any duly recognized Travel and Tour National and International Associations Proof of Inbound Bookings showing number of guests
Physical Requirements: Travel and Tour Agencies Travel and Tour Agencies DOT REGISTRATION DOT ACCREDITATION DOT STAR ACCREDITATION Physical Office Minimum of 18 sq.m. Physical Office located in a Commercial Area Business name signage visible Minimum of 25 sq.m. Physical Office located in a Commercial Area Basic Office Equipment (e.g. Tables, chairs, Computer,Telephone/ Mobile Phone, Printer) Full Office Equipment (e.g. Tables & Chairs, Counter, Brochure Rack/Ebrochures, Telephone/Mobile Phone, Computers, Printer/s, Filing Cabinets, Fans/Air-conditioning Units) Seating Area for Clients Reception/Lounge Area Information Materials (Brochures/Flyers/Other Promotional Materials) Official Website or any online page Official Website with registered domain Computer Reservation System Global Distribution System or Computer Reservation System
Physical Requirements: Travel and Tour Agencies Travel and Tour Agencies DOT REGISTRATION DOT ACCREDITATION DOT STAR ACCREDITATION Minimum of 3 regular employees Fire Extinguishers At least 2 payment options Major Tour Services are inbound and/or domestic Proof of inbound bookings catering to no. of foreign guests per year Membership to any duly recognized Travel and Tour National and International Associations General Manager must have at least three(3) years managerial experience in travel and tour agency operations or proof of passing a Travel and Tour Agency Management Course or its equivalent
Physical Requirements: Travel and Tour Agencies Travel and Tour Agencies DOT REGISTRATION DOT ACCREDITATION DOT STAR ACCREDITATION Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) Physical Office Compliant with the No walk-in clients requirements of regular Accreditation of TTAs Use of online banking/ Payment card Industry Data Security Standard(PCI- SSS) Compliant and Encrypted with Valid Security Sockets Layer(SSL)Certificate NOT APPLICABLE Website with"contact Us" Page and Domain registration Posting of full name of the contact person and complete business address
Monitoring Schemes Spot Checks/Regular Monitoring Visits Mystery Shopper Program Service Quality Watchers Visitor Satisfaction Survey
Beneefits and Incentives
BASIC REGISTRATION REGULAR ACCREDITATION STAR ACCREDITATION Inclusion in DOT s database Recognition valid for one (1) year (nonrenewable unless upgraded to Regular Accreditation) Certificate of Registration Opportunity to attend DOT conducted trainings/ seminars on Tourism Awareness Certificate of Accreditation valid for two (2) years Advertising (Website, newspapers, brochures, magazines) Tourism Quality Seal Stickers Endorsement to other government agencies, associations and other institutions Opportunity to participate in Local travel fairs and other domestic events Opportunity to participate in any DOT and its attached agencies conducted trainings and workshops Membership to Tourism Promotions Board (As Regular Member) Endorsement to International and Domestic Airports (if appropriate) for Issuance of Access Pass to Qualified Personnel (for TTAs and Accommodation Establishments Only) Access to DOT statistical data Access to DOT/TPB s photobank Access to promotional Materials/Collaterals from DOT and its attached agencies (Subject to availability) Regular Accreditation benefits ++ Issuance of Certificate of Accreditation with three (3) years validity Possible discount in Accreditation Fee Issuance of Star Rating/ Excellence Plaques Opportunity to Participate in International Sales Missions and Travel Fairs Opportunity to co-sponsor DOT organized events (local and overseas) Access to review data analytics* (externally procured, e.g. Review Pro, Trip Advisor) Invitation to Heads of star-rated Establishments to DOT functions with VVIPs Possible discount or waiver of participation fees in International Sales Missions Endorsement for Additional Issuance of Airport Access Pass to Qualified Personnel
Schedule of Fees
Proposed Schedule of Fees TYPE OF TOURISM ENTERPRISE REGISTRATION REGULAR ACCREDITATION STAR ACCREDITATION TRAVEL AND TOUR SERVICES Travel and Tour Agency Main Office 5000.00 7500.00 500.00 Branch Office 3000.00 4500.00