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DOT Warns the Public to Beware of Engaging With Non-Accredited Travel Agencies
DOT Warns Public Against Non-Accredited Travel Agencies

DOT warns the public to beware of engaging with non-accredited travel agencies

The Department of Tourism (DOT) strongly advises the public against non-accredited entities engaged in travel and tours, airline ticketing and other travel businesses. The DOT said they only have select numbers of training centers that are accredited to offer courses on those seeking to operate as travel agencies or provide tourism-related services.

The DOT said in a statement that they have received various reports on the proliferation of non-accredited entities advertising services in different social media platforms for airline ticketing, travel and tours arrangement, hotel booking, and training offerings for travel business management.

The agency also states that all travel agencies/tour operators, including online bookings, are covered under the DOT Accreditation Law provided in Republic Act 9593, otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009 and supported by the Department of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular 2019-17, which requires accreditation before the issuance of business permits.  

“The public is hereby warned to be vigilant in dealing with these entities as there can be no guarantee on the reliability and legitimacy of their products and services,” the DOT statement added.

Travel agencies with valid and existing accreditation have informative websites and/or online pages bearing the DOT’s Quality Seal and their corresponding Accreditation Number with validity. Their accreditation seals are also displayed in a noticeable place in their office.

For the complete list of DOT-accredited travel agencies and tourism-related service providers, please click here.

If you want additional information on the matter, you may contact Jose Tolentino from DOT’s Standard Monitoring and Enforcement Division.  

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