DOT 7 takes service to rural areas

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1741657/Cebu/Business/DOT-7-takes-service-to-rural-areas
• Sunday, May 6, 2018

(KOC)

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 expects to accredit more tourism establishments in the region following the deployment of its mobile accreditation caravan in partnership with local government units (LGUs).

“This initiative is meant to provide services for tourism establishments in far- flung areas. So instead of them coming here, we are the ones going to their places,” said DOT 7 Director Shahlimar Tamano.

The mobile accreditation caravan has been to Sta. Fe in Bantayan and Panglao, Bohol.

Tamano said they are bringing the caravan to Malapascua and Daanbantayan in northern Cebu in the coming months.

DOT’s accreditation covers accommodation, travel and tour services, Mice, ecotourism, tourism front-liners, health and wellness and other tourism-related enterprises.

For the first quarter of this year, Tamano said, his office logged 143 accreditations for both establishments and services, higher by 44.44 percent compared to the same period last year.

Accreditations for accommodation went up by 43.07 percent; tourist land transport operators by 39.28 percent; tourist water transport operators by 100 percent; and tour guides by 66.67 percent.

The DOT accreditation is a certificate issued by the department recognizing the holder as having complied with its minimum standards in the operation of the establishment concerned, which ensures the safety, comfort, and convenience of the tourist.

Tamano said he expects more tourism establishments to seek DOT’s seal of accreditation on the back of the region’s thriving tourism industry.

DOT 7’s latest count shows there are about 34,979 rooms in Central Visayas as of 2017.

Between now and 2019, Cebu and Mactan expects over 5,000 additional new rooms in the market.