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Same permits apply to: travel agency.
A travel and tours business must be DOT-accredited, since travel and tour services are primary tourism enterprises, and your LGU should issue the permit to operate only after that. You apply online at accreditation.tourism.gov.ph, and DOT says the processing fee waiver under MC 2022-001 stays in effect indefinitely. If you lead tours yourself, plan for guide accreditation too, since DILG lists tour guides among those needing it.[1,2,4,5]
The company and the people
RA 9593 requires primary tourism enterprises, including travel and tour services, to periodically obtain DOT accreditation. DILG lists tourism frontliners or tour guides among those needing DOT accreditation and says LGUs need prior DOT accreditation before issuing a permit to operate.[1,2]
If you hire freelance guides for a day, ask for their DOT accreditation and keep a copy.
How to apply for DOT accreditation
Applications are filed online through the DOT Online Accreditation System at accreditation.tourism.gov.ph.[3,5]
DOT says the processing fee waiver introduced under Memorandum Circular 2022-001 remains in effect indefinitely, so there is no processing fee to budget for.[4]
Accreditation is periodic under RA 9593, so note your expiry date and renew on time.[1]
When you run your own vans or boats
DOT accreditation is mandatory for land and water tourist transport operators, and DILG also lists tourist transport by land, water and air among enterprises needing it.[4,2]
If you plan to own vehicles instead of renting them per trip, check the LTFRB tourist transport rules before you buy. The car rental kit covers some of the vehicle side.
Tour operator prep list
- Create your account at accreditation.tourism.gov.ph
- List every guide you will use and check each one's DOT accreditation
- Decide if you will own vehicles or hire accredited transport
- Prepare sample itineraries and pricing for the DOT application
- Get liability waivers and emergency contact forms ready
- File for the mayor's permit once DOT accreditation is approved
Questions people ask
- How much is DOT accreditation?
- There is no processing fee. DOT says the waiver introduced under MC 2022-001 remains in effect indefinitely.
- I lead tours myself. Do I need guide accreditation?
- DILG lists tour guides among tourism frontliners needing DOT accreditation, so plan for it.
- Can I get my mayor's permit before DOT accreditation?
- DILG says prior DOT accreditation is required before an LGU issues a permit to operate to a primary tourism enterprise. Apply to DOT first.
- Is this different from a travel agency?
- Both are primary tourism enterprises under RA 9593 and need DOT accreditation. A tours business adds guides and often transport, which bring their own accreditation.
Sources
Checked 13 November 2026. We link the agency's own page for every requirement. Rules change; confirm with the office before you pay.
- Republic Act No. 9593 (The Tourism Act of 2009) · Congress of the Philippines (via Lawphil) · 12 May 2009
- DILG to LGUs: Issue permit to operate to tourism enterprises with DOT accreditation only · DILG Region IV-A · 15 January 2024
- Free accreditation for tourism businesses extended — DOT · Inquirer.net · 23 February 2023
- CV tourism accreditations rise 25% on fee waiver · The Freeman (Philstar) · 16 October 2026
- DOT 7 waives fees to ease tourism firms' costs · SunStar Cebu · 27 October 2026
The extra permits, in one table
| Permit or registration | Agency | When it applies | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOT accreditation[1] | DOT | always | waived under MC 2022-001 (see the fee waiver row) |
| Classification as primary tourism enterprise[1] | DOT | travel and tour services are primary tourism enterprises | no fee (definition in the law) |
| Apply through DOT Online Accreditation System[3] | DOT | always | waived under DOT MC 2022-001 |
| DOT accreditation processing fee waived[4] | DOT | all tourism enterprises applying for DOT accreditation | waived (no processing fee) |
| Apply online at the DOT accreditation portal[5] | DOT | always | waived (no processing fee) |
| DOT accreditation is mandatory for hotels, resorts, travel agencies…[4] | DOT | hotels, resorts, travel agencies, land and water tourist transport operators | waived (no processing fee) |
| DOT accreditation of tour guides (tourism frontliners)[2] | DOT | if the business employs or acts as tour guides | Not published |
If it's a travel agency: how the order changes for agencies
RA 9593 lists travel and tour services as primary tourism enterprises, which must periodically obtain DOT accreditation on the quality of their facilities and services. DILG has reminded LGUs that prior DOT accreditation is required before they issue a permit to operate.[1,2]
- Register your business name or company
- Get barangay clearance for the office
- Apply for DOT accreditation online
- File for the mayor's permit with DOT accreditation in hand
- Register with the BIR
Rules and exemptions
Selling rules that apply
- Mayor's permit to operate issued only after DOT accreditation[2]