AKLAN – Boracay Island tourists, especially those transacting online, are told to be wary of travel agencies and agents not accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
The local government unit (LGU) of Malay, through its Municipal Tourism Office (MTO), released an advisory calling on would-be visitors to make their travel arrangements only through DOT-accredited travel agencies and accommodation establishments in Boracay Island and mainland Malay.
Chief Tourism Operations Officer Felix Delos Santos Jr. said these agencies have been vetted and approved by the LGU and the DOT, providing reliability and security for travel necessities.
“I sincerely believe that our office is doing its best to provide our tourists with a safe and comfortable vacation, and so I hope that tourists will also be responsible enough to exercise extreme caution in every travel transaction they do online,” Delos Santos said.
The list of DOT-accredited travel agencies and accommodation establishments can be found on the official Facebook page of the Malay-Boracay Tourism Office and website www.boracayinfoguide.com or Project BIG-A.
Project BIG-A is a one-stop, all-in-one mobile application with all the authentic, relevant and timely information necessary to travel to Boracay Island.
The MTO further reminded tourists and visitors planning to go to Boracay to beware of suspicious emails, social media accounts, or websites claiming to offer travel deals that seem too good to be true.
“Tourists should always verify the authenticity of the sources by relying on DOT-accredited travel agencies and accommodation establishments, and remember to prioritize secure payment methods when making reservations,” Delos Santos added.
The local tourism office also announced that currently, there is only one travel and tour operator association exclusively recognized by the LGU – the Boracay Island Travel Agency and Tour Operators Association (BITATOA).
According to Claribel Casimero, BITATOA president, the group is the sole association officially recognized by the Malay LGU as the governing body for travel agencies and tour operators operating within the municipality.
BITATOA was established on August 13, 2014, with a total membership of 40 reputable entities accredited by the DOT.
“This exclusive recognition highlights BITATOA’s dedication to upholding high service standards and adherence to local regulations,” Casimero said.
Based on the records of DOT-Boracay, there are 35 DOT-accredited travel and tour agencies in Boracay Island, while mainland Malay has 14 and mostly in Barangay Caticlan. (PIA Aklan)/PN
