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Visit Central Visayas

For tourism enterprises

Getting DOT accredited

How tourism enterprises and tour guides in Cebu and Bohol obtain accreditation from the Department of Tourism.

Who needs accreditation

The Department of Tourism (DOT) accredits tourism enterprises and individuals to ensure the quality, safety, and reliability of the facilities and services travelers rely on. Accreditation is organized into two categories.

Primary Tourism Enterprises

These are facilities and services directly related to tourism. DOT-certified primary tourism enterprises shall be periodically required to obtain accreditation from DOT to ensure the quality of their facilities and services.

  • Hotel
  • Resort
  • Apartment Hotel
  • Mabuhay Accommodation (tourist inns, motels, pension houses, bed and breakfast)
  • Homestay
  • Travel and Tour Agency
  • Travel Agency
  • Tour Operator
  • Online Travel Agency
  • Tourist Land Transport Operator
  • Tourist Water Transport Operator
  • Tourist Air Transport Operator
  • Motorized Banca
  • MICE Organizer
  • MICE Facility/Venue
  • Adventure/Sports and Ecotourism Facilities

Tourism frontliners

  • Tour Guide

Accredited individually rather than as an enterprise. Guides on the Department's register for Central Visayas are listed separately. Browse the tour guide register.

Secondary Tourism Enterprises

These are facilities and services that may be related to tourism. Accreditation shall be voluntary for secondary tourism enterprises that follow minimum DOT standards.

  • Restaurant
  • Tourism Training Center
  • Target Shooting Range
  • Department Store/Shopping Mall/Tourist Shop/Specialty Shop
  • Farm Tourism Camp
  • Gallery/Museum
  • Tourism Entertainment Complex
  • Tourism Recreation Center
  • Zoos
  • Rest Area/Restroom
  • Surfing Camp
  • Ambulatory Clinic
  • Spa
  • Tertiary Hospital
  • Tourism Trainer
  • Surfing Instructor

Frequently asked questions

Who may apply for a DOT accreditation?
Primary Tourism Enterprises — facilities and services directly related to tourism — are periodically required to obtain DOT accreditation. Secondary Tourism Enterprises, whose services may only be related to tourism, can apply voluntarily as long as they meet minimum DOT standards.
What are the benefits of getting accredited?
Accredited enterprises gain endorsements the Department uses to support tourism businesses directly. Some apply to every accredited enterprise — embassy and travel-trade endorsements, priority access to DOT training programs, and technical, security or facilitation support. Others are limited by enterprise type: COMELEC liquor-ban exemptions during elections apply to accommodation establishments and restaurants; airport access passes to tour operators and accommodation establishments; and UVVRP exemptions and LTFRB tourist transport franchise endorsements to tourist land transport vehicles.
How do I apply, and where do I download the requirements?
Documentary requirements and fees are issued by DOT directly and vary by enterprise type. Visit the DOT Accreditation Portal at accreditation.tourism.gov.ph to download the current requirements for your enterprise type, then browse the Accreditation Directory to see currently accredited enterprises and tour guides across Cebu and Bohol.