Accreditations

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.

Learn how to use Online Accreditation System

Who May Apply for a DOT Accreditation?

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 its facilities and services.

List of Primary Tourism Enterprises

• Hotel
• Resort
• Apartment Hotel
• Mabuhay Accommodation (tourist inns, motels, pension houses, and bed and breakfast, among others)
• Homestay

Travel and Tour Services

• • Travel and Tour Agency
  • Travel Agency
  • Tour Operator
  • Online Travel Agency

  Tourist Transport Operators

  • Tourist Land Transport Operator
  • Tourist Water Transport Operator
  • Tourist Air Transport Operator
  • Motorized Banca

  Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE)

  • MICE Organizer
  • MICE Facility/ Venue

  Adventure/ Sports and Ecotourism Facilities

  Secondary Tourism Enterprises

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

  List of Secondary Tourism Enterprises

  • 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​

  Health and Wellness Services

  • Ambulatory Clinic​
  • Spa
  • Tertiary Hospital​
  • Tourism Trainer
  • Surfing Instructor

  

  What are the Standards, Benefits and Incentives of Accreditation?

  LIST OF TOURISM ACCREDITATION STANDARDS

  YEAR	MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR	TITLE	DATE SIGNED
  2024	DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2024-0004	Rules and Regulation Governing the Accreditation of Campgrounds	July 29, 2024
  2024	DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2024-0003	Amended Guidelines Governing the Operations and Recognition of Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments	April 16, 2024
  2024	DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2024-0002	Revised Rules and Regulation Governing the Accreditation and Star Rating Hotels, Resorts, and Apartment Hotels	March 18, 2024
  2024	DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2024-0001	Rules and Regulation Governing the Accreditation of Dental Clinics for Dental Tourism	January 29, 2024
  2023	DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2023-0003	Updated Guidelines on the Progressive Accreditation System (UPAS)	May 31, 2023
  2021	DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2021-003	Establishment of the Professional Tour Guides Qualification Examination (PTGQUALEX)	March 21, 2021
  2021	DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2021-002	Rules and Regulation Governing the Accreditation of Tour Guides	March 21, 2021
  2020	DOT-DA Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-02	Rules and Regulation Governing the Accreditation of Farm Tourism Camps	October 14, 2020
  2020	DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2020-01	Rules and Regulation to Govern the Accreditation of Surfing Camps and Filipino Surfing Instructors	January 20, 2020
  2008	Rules and Regulation to Govern the Accreditation of Ecoguides, Ecotours, Ecolodges, and Ecotour Facilities	June 30, 2008
  2006	Rules and Regulation to Govern the Accreditation of Ambulatory Clinics	2007
  2006	Revised Rules and Regulation to Govern the Accreditation of Spa Establishments	June 27, 2006
  2003	Rules and Regulation to Govern the Accreditation of Tertiary Hospitals for Medical Tourism	2003
  2000	Rules and Regulation Governing the Accreditation of Calesas Providing Transport Services to Tourists	2000
  1999	Rules and Regulation to Govern the Accreditation of Foreign Exchange Dealers	1999
  1994	Rules and Regulation to Govern the Accreditation of Gallery	October 12, 1994
  1992	Rules and Regulation to Govern the Accreditation of Tourism-Related Establishments	April 20, 1992

  BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES

  • Endorsement to COMELEC for exemption from liquor ban during election-related events*
  • Endorsement to embassies and travel trade associations for utilization of establishment’s facilities and services.
  • Being prioritized for DOT training programs
  • Endorsement to international and domestic airports (if appropriate) for Issuance of Access Pass to Qualified Personnel**
  • Qualification for Exemption from the United Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).***
  • Endorsement to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for Issuance of Tourist Transport Franchise.*** Technical / Security / Facilitation Support or Assistance

  *For accommodation establishments and restaurants only.
  **For Tour Operators and Accommodation Establishments only.
  ***For Tourist Land Transport Vehicles only.