DOT urges tourism players to be accredited

TACLOBAN CITY – Department of Tourism Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation Maria Victoria Jasmin has urged tourism players to have their businesses accredited with the department.

The accreditation of tourism players is mandatory in order to strengthen data gathering and research on tourism and facilitate the promotion of individual enterprises and the industry as a whole, Jasmin said.

Accreditation with the lead agency of the government concerning tourism sector will make premier player in the tourism industry at the level to global competitiveness. she added.

“This would mean all players in the tourism industry representing them in providing services on where local or international tourists should seek for accreditation from the DOT before they can operate,” Usec Jasmin said.

She added that at present the DOT is formulating a new standard for their accreditation process that will meet the international standard.

On the process of accreditation, Jasmin emphasizes that it should not be a sole responsibility of the DOT to oblige tourism primary players to accredit with them, but they also need the help of the local government units.

“We would really enjoin the local councils to pass a resolution or ordinance for non-issuance of business permit unless endorsed or accredited by the DOT,” Jasmin stressed

She added that at present the DOT together with the GIZ (former GTZ) is conducting research on the wide range of standards for accommodating facilities to ensure that the standards that are being adopted is not too relax.

But before finalizing the new standard for accreditation of DOT, Jasmin said that they will first conduct consultation among tourism key players especially the private sector as they are in the frontline of tourism industry that will be the subject of said accreditation requirement.

“We wanted to convey our message to our visitors that we are what we advertise,” Jasmin stressed.

However, as most of the regional office of the DOT lacks personnel, Jasmin admitted that they will be having a hard time to implement the accreditation. (ROEL AMAZONA)