The document outlines proposed revisions to national accreditation standards for tour guides in the Philippines. Key changes include establishing minimum educational requirements, requiring English proficiency, defining tour guide levels as junior, senior or master, and specifying qualifications and requirements to qualify for each level. The revisions also standardize documentary requirements, fees and establish grounds for suspension or revocation of accreditation. If approved, the new standards would aim to enhance customer service standards and better regulate the tour guide industry in the country.

1. PUBLIC CONSULTATION
National Accreditation Standards
For
Tour Guides

2. THE TOURISM ACT OF 2009
R.A. 9593
Formulate and implement a national
standard for the operation and
maintenance of tourism enterprises,
prescribing minimum levels of
quality and efficiency in order to
ensure that facilities and services are
maintained in accordance with
acceptable local and international
standards.
OFFICE OF TOURISM STANDARDS AND REGULATION
ACCREDITATION DIVISION

3. Why Are Tourism Standards Important?
ENHANCED CUSTOMER SERVICE

4. Why Are Tourism Standards Important?
BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE

5. a certification issued by the Department
to an individual that officially recognizes
him/her as having complied with the
minimum standards for tour guides.

6. STEPS IN APPLYING FOR ONLINEACCREDITATION
(New & Renewal Application)
http://accreditationonline.tourism.gov.ph

7. CURRENT
STANDARDS FOR
ACCREDITATION

8. DEFINITION
TOUR GUIDE - an individual who guides tourists,
both foreign and domestic, for a fee,
commission, or any other form of lawful
remuneration.

9. Tour Guides Classification and Training
 National/Regional Guide
- Regular Tour Guiding Seminar
 Local Guide
- Community Guiding Seminar
 Cave/Mountain/River Guide
- Eco-guiding Seminar

10. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
 Occupational Permit
 Proof of undergoing DOT Training/Seminar
 Valid Health Certificate
 NBI Clearance
 For Senior Citizens, Health Certificate only

11. REVISED STANDARDS
FOR ACCREDITATION

12. DEFINITION

13. Tour Guides Classification
Regional Guide
- guides within a specific region, province
or city (e.g. Region III, Pampanga
or Angeles City)
Local Guide
- guides within a specific site, attraction
or community (e.g. Mt. Pinatubo)
Specialist Guide
- possess special skills and technical
knowledge for specific activities and/or
interest in any part of the Philippines
(e.g. caving guides, mountain guides)

14. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
 Filipino resident or permanent resident foreign
national
 Minimum of 18 years old
 Physically and mentally fit
 Not have been convicted with finality of any crime by a
court of justice or dismissed for a cause by any
organization, whether public or private

15. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
 Educational Background:
 Regional Guide
 Specialist Guide  Local Guide
Level
 Language Proficiency:
 Regional Guide
 Specialist Guide
 Local Guide
at least 2nd year college or twoyear vocational course
at least 2nd year college or twoyear vocational course
at least Elementary
-
Proficient in English
Proficient in English
Conversant in English

16. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

17. FOR RENEWAL
 Proof of undergoing a continuing education
training/seminar
 Minimum of 40 hours
 Conducted by DOT or DOT-accredited training
centers/ recognized associations, in which case,
program or topic must be approved by DOT

18. TOUR GUIDE LEVELS
 The level category shall serve as an indicator of
the guide’s expertise in the industry which can be
determined after due evaluation of his/her skill
and professional credentials
Junior Guide
Senior Guide
Master Guide

19. JUNIOR GUIDE
 Entry level and shall be attained upon compliance
with DOT’s basic accreditation requirements.
SENIOR GUIDE
 The second level and shall be attained upon compliance with the
following:
 6 years continuous guiding experience as DOT-accredited
tour guide
 Commendation from travel and tour agencies/tourism related
associations/enterprises excluding tour guide associations
 At least 1 foreign language other than English

20. MASTER GUIDE
 The highest level and shall be awarded to a tour guide who
passed the following criteria:
 10 years continuous guiding experience as DOTaccredited tour guide
 Has achieved credibility and track record in tour guiding
 Has extensive knowledge in area of guiding and field of
specialization
 Has consistently displayed excellence in field of
expertise, earning distinction and making an impact on
clients
 Has broad acceptance through either local/international
commendation/recognition
from
tourism-related
associations and respect from peers in the field of
expertise

21. PANEL INTERVIEW
 Guides who wish to apply for level upgrade and have
passed the requirements shall undergo a panel
interview conducted by DOT.
 Panel interview per level upgrade shall be scheduled
every May of each year. Hence, applicants for level
upgrade shall file their application at least one month
prior to the scheduled interview.

22. RENEWAL PERIOD
April 1 to June 30
VALIDITY PERIOD
2 Years

23. SUPERVISION
Non-transferability of Accreditation
Wearing of IDs and uniforms/proper attire for
tours
Automatic withdrawal of dormant Applications
(inactive for 60 days)

24. NON-RENEWAL OF ACCREDITATION
Refresher Seminar Course - for those inactive or failed
to renew accreditation for at least two (2) but not over
four (4) years
Regular Tour Guide Training - for those inactive or failed
to renew accreditation for more than four (4) years
Level Downgrade
- Master and Senior Guides
shall be downgraded one category lower should they fail
to renew their accreditation for more than four (4) years.

25. FEES
Accreditation
-
P2,000.00 (Regional and Specialist Guide)
- P500.00 (Local Guide)
Lost Certificate -
P1,000.00
ID
Lost ID
- P100.00
P100.00
-

26. FEES
SURCHARGE
Additional amount equivalent to 50%of the
accreditation fee for renewals made after June 30
and another 100% shall be collected for every
preceding year thereafter

27. GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION/REVOCATION
A. Making any false declaration or statement or making use of any
such declaration or statement or any document containing the
same or committing fraud or any act of misrepresentation for
the purpose of obtaining the grant of accreditation
B. Failure to maintain the standards and requirements for
accreditation
C. Failure to submit valid Occupational Permit between April to
June of each year
D. Promoting, facilitating or conducting activities involving drugrelated transactions, prostitution or sex tourism
E. Gross and evident bad faith in dealing with clients / fraudulent
solicitation of business

28. GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION/REVOCATION
F. Non-settlement of account and/or non-remittance of collection
due to any establishment or agency of the government or any
individual within the period prescribed by law or by the rules
and regulations and circulars by the Department
G. Patronage and/ or engaging the services of non-DOT accredited
tourism establishments/ vehicles except in areas where there are
no DOT accredited facilities and/ or services.
H. Violation of or non-compliance with any of the provisions of
these rules, Tour Guides Code of Ethics, promulgated orders,
decisions and circulars issued by the Department and other
concerned government agencies;
I. Organizing tours as a travel and tour agency without the
necessary documents to operate such enterprise
J. Any other act or omission that works against the interest of the

29. GROUNDS FOR DENIAL
A. Non-settlement of the complaint filed against them with the Department
B. Cancellation/Revocation of Accreditation
PENALTIES
First Offense - Six (6) months Suspension of Accreditation
Second Offense - One (1) year Suspension of Accreditation
Third Offense - Revocation of Accreditation

30. SUMMARY OF
PRESENT AND REVISED
STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION

31. ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
Standard
PRESENT
REVISED
Filipino Resident and
Permanent Resident
Foreign National
✔
✔
Minimum Educational
Background
X
✔
Required Proficiency in
English
X
✔
Tour Guide Levels
X
✔

32. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
Standard
PRESENT
REVISED
Occupational Permit
✔
✔
Health Certificate
✔
✔
NBI Clearance
✔
✔
Barangay Clearance for
Local Guides
Proof of Passing DOT
Training/Seminar
✔
Valid Visa and Working
Permit for Foreign Nationals
✔
✔
Conducted by DOT or
DOT-Accredited
Training Center
✔

33. FEES
PRESENT
PROPOSED
Validity of
ACcreditation
1 Year
2 Years
Accreditation Fee
150.00
2,000.00
1,000.00
1,000.00
30.00
100.00
Renewal Fee
ID
Lost Certificate/ID
1,000.00 –Certificate
100.00 –ID