The Department of Tourism – Regional Office 6 (DOT-Western Visayas) accredited 146 establishments and services in Antique as a result of the aggressive campaign of the Antique Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (APTCAO) since last year.
As of Feb. 26, the two-year accreditation was granted to 71 community guides, 32 Mabuhay accommodations (less than four bedrooms), 12 recreation facilities, resort, and restaurant (7 each), 5 hotels, 3 homestay and travel and tour agencies, 2 specialty shops, 1 agri-tourism farm/site, and 1 meetings, incentives, conventions, and events (MICE) organizer, facility, and tourist transport land operator.
“We believe that with the spur of the tourism industry is the creation of more jobs and economic activity in the province. That is why we are assisting establishments and services to become accredited by the DOT,” APTCAO chief Juan Carlos Perlas said in a press conference Monday.
Perlas said they deployed staff to assist in the accreditation requirements.
Only eight establishments received a DOT accreditation in 2021 and 86 in 2022.
“The APTCAO personnel even requested for the DOT Regional Office 6 in Iloilo City to inspect the establishments and services in Antique just to hasten their applications for accreditation,” Perlas said.
He said accredited establishments and services are preferred over non-DOT certified ones because they are recognized to have the necessary amenities such as an information desk, parking lot, and clean bedroom and comfort room.
“The accreditation of the tourism-related establishments and services is also one of the requirements of the DOT for funding, support, and training assistance,” he said.
They will be included in the tourism circuit and itinerary for DOT’s guests and could also participate in international, national, or regional travel fairs and promotional and marketing campaigns.
Accredited tour guides have DOT accreditation cards while tour operators have an endorsement to international and domestic airports for issuance of access pass. (PNA)
