Boracay visitors and tourists are told to be wary of dealing with travel agencies and agents who are not Department of Tourism’s (DOT) accredited, especially those transacting online.
The local government unit of Malay, Aklan through its Municipal Tourism Office (MTO), released an advisory calling on would-be visitors and tourists bound for Boracay Island to have their travel arrangements only through the DOT-accredited travel agencies and accommodation establishments in Boracay Island and in Mainland Malay.
Chief Tourism Operations Officer of Malay Felix Delos Santos, Jr. said these agencies have been vetted and approved by the LGU and the DOT, providing a higher level of reliability and security for travel necessities.
“I sincerely believe that our office is really doing its best to provide our tourists a safe and comfortable vacation, and so I hope that the tourists will also be responsible enough to exercise extreme caution in every travel transaction they do online,” Delos Santos said.
LGU Malay issued an advisory on the list of trusted DOT-Accredited Travel Agencies and Accommodation establishments referring to the official Facebook page Malay-Boracay Tourism Office as well as recommending to visit the website www.boracayinfoguide.com or Project Big A, for reliable information in planning trips to Boracay safely.
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 that is accessible anytime and anywhere.
The website also offers essential tips, travel guidelines, and insights about the island to ensure that the tourists will have a delightful and trouble-free experience.
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.
Meanwhile, to further protect would-be tourists and visitors bound for Boracay Island from fake travel agencies, the local tourism office 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 LGU-Malay as the governing body for travel agencies and tour operators operating within the municipality of Malay.
BITATOA was established on August 13, 2014 and boasts a total membership of forty reputable entities, all of which are accredited by the DOT.
“This exclusive recognition highlights BITATOA’s dedication to upholding high standards of service and adherence to local regulations,” Casimero said.
She assured that BITATOA, along with its accredited members, is committed to providing the tourists with exceptional service and memorable experiences during their stay in Boracay.
“With our collective efforts, we can ensure that every visitor enjoys a safe, enjoyable, and respectful visit to this paradise island,” Casimero added.
Based on the records of DOT-Boracay, there are 35 DOT-accredited travel and tour agencies in Boracay Island, while Mainland Malay, mostly in Barangay Caticlan, has 14.EAD-AGP/VGV/PIA Aklan
