Legal Basis and Purpose
- Republic Act No. 9593 (Tourism Act of 2009) vests DOT with authority to maintain international standards of excellence in tourism facilities and services and to promote the Philippines as a safe and wholesome tourist destination.
- Memorandum Circular No. 2018-03 is issued to implement the intent and purpose of Republic Act No. 9593.
- The PAS aims to make the DOT accreditation system more inclusive.
- The PAS aims to motivate stakeholders to maintain and improve the quality of their properties, facilities, and services.
- The PAS aims to develop a database of primary tourism enterprises in the country.
System Structure and Recognition Levels
- The PAS grants three levels of recognition: Basic Registration, Regular Accreditation, and Premium Accreditation and Star-Rating Accreditation.
- Basic Registration is issued when a tourism-oriented enterprise complies with the Basic requirements set by DOT.
- Regular Accreditation is issued when a tourism enterprise complies with both basic and minimum standards for operation.
- Premium Accreditation is issued when a tourism enterprise complies with the minimum standards prescribed under Regular and Premium Accreditation.
- Star-Rating Accreditation is issued to Hotels, Resorts, and Apartment Hotels that comply with the National Accommodation Standards (NAS).
Scope: Covered Tourism Enterprises
- The PAS covers Primary Tourism Enterprises under the categories in Section 4.0 of the guidelines.
Accommodation establishments
- Hotel refers to full service accommodation with reception and guest rooms generally offering private facilities with dining facility and services.
- Resort refers to full service accommodation in a more natural, relaxed environment, with reception and guest rooms generally offering private facilities with dining and recreation facilities and services.
- Apartment Hotel refers to serviced apartments with self-contained units with access to kitchen and laundry facilities, where a number of bedrooms may share one bathroom in the unit.
- Mabuhay Accommodation applies to Tourist Inns, Pension Houses, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts, Vacation Homes, Hostels and other similar accommodation establishments.
- Homestay refers to an alternative form of tourism where tourists stay with the host family in the same house to experience everyday way of life of the family and the local community.
Travel and tour businesses
- A Tour Operator is an entity engaged in inbound and/or local tour operation such as organizing and/or conducting tours and making online reservations, arranging and booking transportation and accommodation for a fee, commission, or remuneration.
- A Travel Agency is an entity providing travel-related services such as transportation or accommodation reservations/bookings, documentation of travel papers, sale and/or issuance of tickets, and selling outbound tours for a fee, commission, or remuneration.
- A Travel and Tour Agency is an entity providing both Tour Operator and Travel Agency services as defined.
- An Online Travel and Tour Agency is an entity whose operations are solely conducted through websites and other online platform dedicated to travel and tour operations.
Other covered enterprises
- A Tourist Land Transport Operator is an entity regularly engaged in providing land transport services exclusively for tourist use for a fee or remuneration.
- A MICE Organizer is an entity engaged in managing or organizing congresses, conventions, meetings/conferences, exhibitions or similar events in a professional manner for a fee or remuneration.
- A MICE Venue/Facility is a physical space designed and provided for events, exhibitions, meetings/conferences and conventions for a fee or remuneration.
Eligibility Requirements and Incorporated Standards
- Documentary requirements for each category of primary tourism enterprises are provided in Annex A.
- Physical requirements for each category and level are provided in Annex B.
- The criteria/requirements under DOT Memorandum Circular 2012-02 (National Accommodation Standards) are incorporated by reference.
- Applicants must use a Self-Assessment Form (SAF) as a document/checklist to pre-determine qualification for Basic Registration, Regular Accreditation, and Premium/Star-Rating Accreditation by evaluating degree of compliance with minimum requirements/standards set by DOT.
- The SAF must be made available in the DOT-Regional Office (RO) and on the DOT website at all times for tourism enterprises’ reference and use.
Accreditation Validity, Renewal Windows, and Procedure
- Basic Registration is valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance unless sooner cancelled for a cause.
- Regular Accreditation is valid for two (2) years and is renewable thereafter unless sooner cancelled for a cause.
- Premium Accreditation is valid for three (3) years and is renewable thereafter unless sooner cancelled for a cause.
- Star-Rating Accreditation is valid for three (3) years and is renewable thereafter unless sooner cancelled for a cause.
Renewal period filing schedules
- Accommodation Establishments must file applications for renewal during August 1 to October 31, with accreditation expiry on October 31.
- Travel and Tour Agencies must file renewal applications during April 1 to June 30, with accreditation expiry on June 30.
- Tourist Land Transport Operator must file renewal applications during February 1 to April 30, with accreditation expiry on April 30.
- MICE Organizer and MICE Venue/Facility must file renewal applications during April 1 to June 30, with accreditation expiry on June 30.
Application and inspection steps
- A tourism enterprise seeking DOT Registration/Accreditation must submit a Letter of Intent or a duly accomplished SAF, to the DOT-Regional Office, or file an application through the Online Accreditation System.
- DOT schedules and conducts an inspection at a designated time in the presence of the owner or authorized representative.
- The DOT Accreditation Officer discusses results/findings with the General Manager or authorized representative, after which both parties sign the Inspection Checklist.
Basic Registration rules
- If compliant with Basic Registration requirements upon inspection, DOT issues a Certificate of Registration.
- For Mabuhay Accommodation, registration may be extended for another year upon compliance with at least 50% of the identified physical requirements marked *(asterisked by the guidelines) of Regular Accreditation, subject to validation by DOT.
- DOT’s Basic Registration Certificate must include a disclosure that it does not serve to guarantee the quality of facilities and services.
- DOT’s Basic Registration Certificate must bind the enterprise to comply with all laws, rules, and regulations implemented by DOT and other government agencies.
- Filing a complaint for a violation of such laws, rules, and regulations determined to be with merit by DOT results in automatic cancellation of the Basic Registration.
- If the enterprise fails to meet Basic Registration requirements, DOT grants six (6) months to rectify deficiencies.
- Failure to rectify results in issuance of a Notice of Non-Compliance, with copy furnished to the LGU concerned.
Regular Accreditation rules
- If compliant with minimum standards for Regular Accreditation, DOT issues a Certificate of Accreditation and DOT Accreditation Sticker upon approval of the application and payment of the corresponding accreditation fees.
- If the enterprise fails to meet Regular Accreditation minimum standards, Basic Registration is granted in accordance with the Basic Registration process.
Premium Accreditation and Star-Rating rules
- If compliant with minimum standards for Premium Accreditation, DOT issues a Certificate of Accreditation and DOT Plaque upon approval of the application and payment of corresponding accreditation fees.
- For Mabuhay Accommodations, Premium Accreditation is issued only upon compliance with at least 50% of the total points allotted.
- If the enterprise fails to meet Premium Accreditation minimum standards, Regular or Basic procedures apply as applicable.
- Hotels, Resorts, and Apartment Hotels applying for Star-Rating Accreditation must undergo a Third-Party Audit composed of a Third-Party Assessor (TPA), a Tourism Quality Advisor from DOT—Standards Monitoring and Enforcement Division (SMED), and DOT-RO.
- If compliant with Star-Rating minimum standards, DOT issues a star rating classification in accordance with the NAS.
- A Certificate of Accreditation and DOT Plaque are issued upon approval and payment of accreditation fees for Star-Rating.
- If failing the minimum score of 251 points under the NAS, the enterprise may be considered for Regular Accreditation if it complied with mandatory requirements and garnered not less than 200 points; otherwise, it is re-categorized into Mabuhay Accommodation, subject to inspection.
Dormancy rule
- Dormant applications automatically withdraw after 45 days of inactivity.
- Warnings/notifications are sent to the applicant on the 30th and 45th day reckoned from the date of submission.
Accreditation Fees, Charges, and Surcharges
- Tourism enterprises pay accreditation and miscellaneous fees as applicable, including the following schedule.
Accreditation fees by enterprise type and class
- Hotels/Resorts/Apartment Hotels (Extended Basic Registration and Regular/Premium/Star-Rating) require:
- 5 star: 8,500.00
- 4 star: 7,500.00
- 3 star: 6,500.00
- 2 star: 5,500.00
- 1 star: 4,500.00
- Regular: 2,000.00
- Mabuhay Accommodation requires 500.00 for Extended Basic Registration and 1,400.00 / 2,100.00 for relevant higher levels as indicated in the fee table.
- Homestay requires 600.00 / 900.00 as indicated in the fee table.
- Tourist Land Transport Operator (Minimum of 3 units) requires per unit:
- Bus: 700.00/unit and 1,050.00/unit
- Coaster/Mini Bus: 400.00/unit and 600.00/unit
- Van: 300.00/unit and 450.00/unit
- Car: 200.00/unit and 300.00/unit
- Travel and Tour Agency (Main Office) requires 5,000.00 and 7,500.00 as indicated in the fee table.
- Travel and Tour Agency (Branch Office) requires 3,000.00 and 4,500.00 as indicated in the fee table.
- Online Travel Agency requires 5,000.00 and 7,500.00 as indicated in the fee table.
- MICE Organizer requires 1,400.00 and 2,100.00 as indicated in the fee table.
- MICE Venue/Facility requires 2,800.00 and 4,200.00 as indicated in the fee table.
Sticker, plaque, and duplicate plaque
- DOT issues DOT Stickers upon payment of PHP 300.00 per sticker.
- Requests for duplicate DOT Plaques require payment of PHP 2,500.00.
Re-assessment and upgrades
- An accredited tourism enterprise requesting an upgrade pays PHP 5,000.00 for re-assessment.
- For Hotels, Resorts and Apartment Hotels, a requesting party pays PHP 30,000.00.
Lost certificate or ID
- An amount of PHP 150.00 is collected for an authenticated copy of the Accreditation Certificate or replacement of a lost ID upon submission of a Letter Request and Affidavit of Loss.
Surcharges for late renewals
- DOT collects a surcharge equal to 25% of the accreditation fee for renewals made after the prescribed application period under Section 7.
- DOT collects an additional surcharge of 50% for every succeeding year thereafter.
Benefits, Supervision, and Display Duties
- DOT accredited tourism enterprises are entitled to the benefits and privileges under prevailing DOT policies.
Validity and DOT access
- Regular Accreditation certificates are valid for two (2) years; Premium/Star-Rating certificates are valid for three (3) years.
- DOT representatives may access a tourism establishment’s office and records at a reasonable time of day with due regard and respect for privacy of parties concerned.
Display and promotion requirements
- The DOT Accreditation Sticker/Plaque must be displayed at all times in a conspicuous place of the establishment.
- Enterprises advertising in print or online media must display the DOT Tourism Quality Seal and Accreditation Number with validity in all advertisements, brochures, and promotional materials.
Non-transferability
- Rights and privileges granted under accreditation are non-transferable.
Advisories and monitoring
- DOT publishes advisories against tourism enterprises found to have violated DOT rules and regulations.
- DOT conducts periodic monitoring to determine whether enterprises are kept and/or managed in a manner conformable to DOT standards.
Denial, Downgrade, Suspension, Revocation, and Fines
Grounds to deny accreditation applications
- DOT may deny accreditation applications for:
- Making any false declaration or statement, using such declaration or statement, using any document containing the same, or committing fraud or misrepresentation to obtain accreditation;
- Failure to comply with accreditation standards and requirements;
- Failure to pay outstanding surcharges, fines and penalties;
- A determinative finding of liability for complaints filed against the tourism enterprise with DOT.
Grounds for suspension/cancellation and administrative fines
- After due notice and hearing, the Office of Tourism Regulations, Coordination and Resource Generation (TRCRG) may downgrade, suspend, revoke, and/or impose fines on tourism enterprises that violate specified provisions.
First, second, third offense penalties
- Unathorized use and/or transfer of DOT Accreditation Certificates, Stickers, IDs or any document issued by DOT results in:
- 1st offense: stern warning and a fine of PHP 5,000.00
- 2nd offense: six (6) months suspension and a fine of PHP 10,000.00
- 3rd offense: revocation/cancellation and a fine of PHP 20,000.00
- Unauthorized reproduction of DOT Accreditation Certificates, Stickers, IDs or any document issued by DOT results in:
- 1st offense: one (1) year suspension and a fine of PHP 5,000.00
- 2nd offense: revocation/cancellation and a fine of PHP 10,000.00
- Gross and evident bad faith dealing with clients/fraudulent solicitation of business or making any false, deceptive or misleading claims or statements results in:
- 1st offense: six (6) months suspension and/or a fine of PHP 10,000.00
- 2nd offense: one (1) year suspension and/or a fine of PHP 20,000.00
- 3rd offense: revocation/cancellation and a fine of PHP 50,000.00
- Failure to display the DOT Accreditation Sticker/Plaque in a conspicuous place of the establishment results in:
- 1st offense: stern warning and a fine of PHP 5,000.00
- 2nd offense: three (3) months suspension and a fine of PHP 10,000.00
- 3rd offense: six (6) months suspension and a fine of PHP 20,000.00
- Failure to display/specify the DOT Tourism Quality Seal and Accreditation Number with validity in all advertisements through print or online media results in:
- 1st offense: stern warning and a fine of PHP 5,000.00
- 2nd offense: three (3) months suspension and a fine of PHP 10,000.00
- 3rd offense: six (6) months suspension and a fine of PHP 20,000.00
- Promotion, facilitation or conduct of activities involving drug-related transactions or any form of exploitation of women or children results in revocation/cancellation and a fine of PHP 100,000.00.
- Failure to comply with laws including those requiring tourism establishments to grant privileges and benefits to senior citizens and persons with disability, among others results in:
- 1st offense: three (3) months suspension
- 2nd offense: six (6) months suspension
- 3rd offense: revocation/cancellation
- Any other act or omission deemed detrimental to the tourism industry results in:
- 1st offense: stern warning and/or a fine of not less than PHP 1,000.00 but not more than PHP 10,000.00 based on the gravity of the offense
- 2nd offense: three (3) months to one (1) year suspension and/or a fine of PHP 10,000.00 but no more than PHP 20,000.00 based on the gravity of the offense
- 3rd offense: revocation/cancellation of accreditation and/or a fine of PHP 20,000.00 but no more than PHP 100,000.00 based on the gravity of the offense
Downgrading of accreditation
- DOT may downgrade the level of accreditation for failure to maintain compliance with prescribed DOT standards.
Confidentiality, Implementation Orders, Separability, and Repeal
- Information and documents received or filed with DOT in pursuance of the guidelines are treated as confidential and shall concern.
- DOT issues additional circulars/orders whenever necessary for a more effective implementation of the guidelines.
- The provisions are separable: invalidation of one or more provisions does not affect validity of the remaining provisions.
- All existing DOT rules and regulations or circulars inconsistent with the guidelines are repealed and/or modified accordingly.