DOT rolls-out new Progressive Accreditation System
The Department of Tourism, Region 2 conducted a series of orientation seminars on Progressive Accreditation System (PAS) to tourism enterprises and the Local Government Units.
The accreditation team led by Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Imelda Garduque and Senior Tourism Operations Officer Thomas Santos of the DOT-2 organized the information campaign in the cities of Santiago, Cauayan, Tuguegarao and also in the Province of Batanes with attendance of the city, municipal and provincial tourism officers, members of the tourism transport services operators, travel agency owner, tour operators and the Local Government Units.
The orientation and information dissemination campaign on the establishment of PAS and its Implementing Guidelines was carried out to acquaint the local public and private stakeholders on its implementation.
In the PAS, the DOT will implement a three-stage quality journey for tourism enterprises that will make accreditation more inclusive and will likewise motivate stakeholders to maintain and improve the quality of their property’s facilities and services.
The three levels are: one-year Basic Registration where only a valid permit is required, Regular Accreditation where the accreditation will be valid for 2 years, and Premium Accreditation where the tourism enterprise will be rated for quality by Third-Party evaluators with a validity of three-years.
The PAS is committed to maintain international standards of excellence in all tourism facilities and services, and promote the country as a safe and wholesome tourist destination which is anchored to Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009.
The Cagayan Valley and Northern Philippine Islands currently has 51 tour guides, 50 homestays, 29 hotels, 10 resorts, 8 rest areas, 31 restaurants, 42 travel and tour agencies, 9 agri-farms, 8 motels, 22 pension houses, 48 tourists inns, 3 SPA, 1 specialty shop, 1 tertiary hospital and 3 tourist land transport operators that are accredited by the DOT.