2. POWERS & FUNCTIONS Formulate standards for tourism establishments to ensure that facilities, personnel and services are maintained in accordance with acceptable local and international norms. Formulate standards for tourism establishments to ensure that facilities, personnel and services are maintained in accordance with acceptable local and international norms. Promulgate rules and regulations to govern the operations and activities of all persons, firms, entities and establishments that cater to tourists for accreditation with the DOT. Promulgate rules and regulations to govern the operations and activities of all persons, firms, entities and establishments that cater to tourists for accreditation with the DOT. OFFICE OF TOURISM STANDARDS AND REGULATION OFFICE OF TOURISM STANDARDS AND REGULATION

3. Why Are Tourism Standards Important? BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE

4. Why Are Tourism Standards Important? BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE

5.  DOT tourism standards date back to 1992. They are outdated and not aligned with international standards.  Voluntary accreditation of tourism enterprises since 1991  Only 10-20 percent of tourism enterprises were accredited by DOT.  DOT doesn’t have the personnel capacity to assess all enterprises.  LGUs don’t have the capacity to monitor compliance of tourism enterprises with standards and accreditation.  Hence, the standard of facilities and the service quality of Philippine tourism enterprises lags behind those of competitor countries.  Consequently, tourist prefer destinations that offer better value for money. Current Status of Tourism Standards and Accreditation

6. MANDATE The DOT shall be the primary planning, programming, coordinating, implementing and REGULATORY government agency in the development and promotion of the tourism industry, both domestic and international, in coordination with attached agencies and other government instrumentalities. OBJECTIVE Maintain international standards of excellence in all tourism facilities and services, and promote the country as a safe & wholesome tourist destination The Tourism Act of 2009 R.A. 9593

7. SECTION 6. Powers and Functions (l) Formulate & promulgate, in consultation with the LGUs, private sector industries and other tourism stakeholders, rules and regulations governing the operation & activities of all tourism enterprises, including but not limited to a national standard for licensing, accreditation & classification of tourism enterprises, prescribing therein minimum levels of operating quality and efficiency for their operation in accordance with recognized international standards, impose reasonable penalties for violation of accreditation policies and recommend to LGUs concerned the suspension or prohibition of operation of a tourism enterprise (m) Monitor the LGUs’ compliance to national standards in the licensing of tourism enterprises, receive and investigate complaints concerning these enterprises and act on such complaints to properly implement the provisions of this Act (r) Collect necessary fees and charges for the proper implementation of tourism policies, plans and projects

8. The Tourism Act of 2009 R.A. 9593 Section 14 - OFFICE OF TOURISM STANDARDS and REGULATION  Establish a system of registration, information, linkage, and mutual assistance among accredited tourism enterprises to enhance the value of accreditation and improve the quality of service rendered by such enterprises  Evaluate tourism projects in accordance with standards and endorse the same to appropriate government agency for availment of incentives, and provide technical assistance to incentive-giving institutions in the formulation of tourism incentives and the administration of their functions POWERS & FUNCTIONS

9. FUNCTIONSFUNCTIONS OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT & REGULATION  Endorse tourist development projects to appropriate government agencies for availment of incentives and/or issuance of appropriate permits BOI -Registration under E.O. 226 DENR -Environmental Compliance Certificate DAR -Land Conversion LTFRB -Land Transportation Franchise MARINA -Water Transportation Franchise PEZA -Registration as Tourism Ecozone DBP -Loan Availment  Process applications for Special Investors Resident Visa under E.O. 63  Conduct of tourism industry manpower development training programs

10. DEVELOPMENTAL Construction, renovation or expansion of tourism enterprise / project OPERATIONAL Activities after completion of tourism project TWO-FOLD REGULATION

11. 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. --Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9593

12. MANDATORY ACCREDITATION Primary Tourism Enterprises  Hotels  Resorts  Apartment hotels  Tourist inns  Motels  Pension houses  Ecolodges  Condotels  Serviced apartments  Bed and breakfast facilities / Homestays

13. MANDATORY ACCREDITATION Primary Tourism Enterprises

15. Land, Sea & Air Transport (majority or exclusive seats for tourists’ use) Airport Taxis MANDATORY ACCREDITATION Primary Tourism Enterprises

16. VOLUNTARY ACCREDITATION Secondary Tourism Enterprises

19. Section 122 (IRR) - ACCREDITATION  The Department shall act on complaints regarding accredited tourism enterprises, and after notice & hearing, shall impose fines, or downgrade, suspend or revoke accreditation  The Department shall notify the concerned LGU when a tourism enterprise in their locality has failed to obtain or loses its accreditation. The LGU shall issue the necessary closure order should the tourism enterprise fail to rectify its deficiencies despite being accorded a reasonable period to comply with the standards  The Department shall issue tourism advisories pertaining to tourism enterprises found to have violated in terms of their accreditation  Primary tourism enterprises located in tourism enterprise zones (TEZs) shall be accredited by the Department

20. Section 122 (IRR) - ACCREDITATION  The Department may delegate the enforcement of the system of accreditation to LGUs that have adopted and successfully implemented their tourism development plans  The Department shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to enforce the accreditation of tourism enterprises  The Department shall review on periodic basis the standards and accreditation system, in coordination with stakeholders in the said sector

21. STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION  ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES  TRAVEL AND TOUR SERVICES  TOURISM RELATED ESTABLISHMENTS  FRONTLINE AND TRANSPORT SERVICES  MEDICAL TOURISM SERVICES  ECOTOURISM PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DOT ACCREDITATION CODES (Existing)

22. Only accredited enterprises shall be beneficiaries of promotional, training and other programs of the Department and its attached agencies and corporations. Accredited enterprises shall give due preference to other accredited enterprises in obtaining relevant services. The Tourism Act of 2009 R.A. 9593

23. CURRENT INCENTIVES TO ACCREDITED ESTABLISHMENTS Participation in DOT overseas sales mission & inclusion in DOT promo collaterals

24. CURRENT INCENTIVES TO ACCREDITED ESTABLISHMENTS Participation in DOT overseas sales mission & inclusion in DOT promo collaterals

25. Endorsement to COMELEC for exemption from liquor ban Endorsement to NAIA and other Philippine airports for issuance of access passes Endorsement to MMDA for exemption from UVVRP (for NCR) CURRENT INCENTIVES TO ACCREDITED ESTABLISHMENTS

26. Endorsement to embassies / travel and trade associations Priority in DOT Training Programs CURRENT INCENTIVES TO ACCREDITED ESTABLISHMENTS

27. Section 124 (IRR) – LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAPABILITIES  The Department shall develop a comprehensive capacity- building program to enhance the capability of the LGUs to monitor & administer tourism activities & enforce tourism laws, rules and regulations. Funding shall be shared equitably by the Department and the LGUs concerned. Section 125 (IRR) – TOURISM OFFICER  The tourism officer shall be responsible, among other functions at the local level, in ensuring the proper enforcement of tourism standards, laws, rules and regulations.

29. ENHANCED ON-LINE SYSTEM HOME PAGE

31. MAIN PROFILE – For Inspection ENHANCED ON-LINE SYSTEM

32. MAIN PROFILE - Renewal ENHANCED ON-LINE SYSTEM

33. TOUR AND TRAVEL AGENCY Documentary Requirements: (New) 1. Valid Mayor’s permit and/or Municipal License 2. If corporation / partnership, SEC Registration Certificate, Articles of Incorporation and its By-laws 3. If Single Proprietorship, valid DTI Business Name Certificate

34. TOUR AND TRAVEL AGENCY Documentary Requirements: (New) 4. Proof of working capital of P500,000.00:  For Existing enterprises – If corporation/partnership. P500,000.00 paid up/partner’s capital in Articles of Incorporation/Partnership;  If single Proprietorship, original copy of bank certification with cheque writer

35. TOUR AND TRAVEL AGENCY Documentary Requirements: (New) 5. For foreign nationals, valid visa from Bureau of Immigration and work permit from the Department of Labor and Employment 6. Tour packages with itineraries

36. TOUR AND TRAVEL AGENCY Documentary Requirements: (New) 7. For tour operators with branches, affidavit executed by the general manager of the main office acknowledging the existence of said branch/es 8. For general manager, proof of three (3) years managerial experience in travel and tour agency operations or proof of passing a travel and tour operator management course conducted by a DOT accredited training center

37. TOUR AND TRAVEL AGENCY Documentary Requirements: (Renewal) 1. Valid Mayor’s permit and/or Municipal License 2. Amendment to Articles of Incorporation and its By-laws (if applicable) 3. If Business name expired, submit a renewed copy

38. TOUR AND TRAVEL AGENCY Documentary Requirements: (Renewal) 4. Audited Financial Statements and Income Tax return for the preceding year reflecting a minimum working capital requirement of P500,000.00 5. If visa or work permit expired, submit renewed copy 6. Updated or New tour packages with itineraries

39. ACCREDITATION FEES

41. ACCREDITATION CYCLE Evaluation Inspection Approval Approved Releasing Evaluation Registering an account Initial Payment Accomplishment of Application form Uploading of documents Inspection Grouping by Location - Establishments for Inspection Endorsement to Approving Officer Approval Approval of Application (Application Form and Supporting Documents) Forward Application to the following: Division Chief-AD Director – OTSR Usec-TRCRG Releasing Full Payment of Accreditation Fees Printing of Accreditation Certificate Releasing of Certificate to Applicant

42. Review of Existing Codes & Formulation of Standards for Tourism Enterprises – conduct of consultations Briefings, Training and Assistance to Regional Offices and stakeholders on the On-Line Accreditation System (TFSS) Advocacy & Information Campaign re Accreditation Enhancement of On-Line System