A view of the world-famous white sand beach of Boracay. (PNA photo)
95 percent of establishments in Boracay Island are already accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Western Visayas to further provide world-class service to local and foreign tourists.
DOT 6 regional director, Atty. Helen Catalbas, said that “only a few” of the mandatory establishments are under the process of accreditation.
Mandatory establishments are accommodation establishments and tour operators.
“The accommodation establishments and travel and tour agencies, and tourist transportation, most of them, 95 percent already have obtained their accreditation from the Department of Tourism,” she said.
“Meaning they are already compliant with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regulations, with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the local government units’ (regulations),” she added.
374 accommodation establishments, which convert to 13,554 rooms, were already accredited by DOT as of August 31.
Included in the accreditation grant are 78 travel and tour agencies, and four water transport operators in Boracay island.
Catalbas also assured the carrying capacity of 6,400 per day in Boracay Island is still being followed.
DOT can fully control the island’s carrying capacity since cruise ships are barred from Boracay.
“Now, there are no more cruise ships, unlike before, so we can control better the carrying capacity,” she added.
The Tourism Regulations Division of DOT 6 released a report that 470 establishments are accredited in Western Visayas.
Outside Boracay, 157 accommodation establishments and 56 hotels, 50 resorts, and 50 accredited accommodation establishments and one home-stay under the Mabuhay Accommodation are fully accredited by DOT.
Moreover, 71 travel and tour agencies and 42 tourist land transport operators are also accredited by DOT outside Boracay.
Catalbas highly encouraged the tourists who visit Boracay to choose and do business only with accredited establishments and to transact only with DOT-accredited regional and community guides. (RJ Espartinez)