PCCI Boracay Opposes Possible Return of Accommodation Voucher Requirementt

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay, Aklan — The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Boracay (PCCI-Boracay) has expressed support for stronger enforcement against illegal and non-accredited accommodations but opposed placing an additional accommodation voucher requirement on tourists visiting the island.
The group issued the position following a recent stakeholder consultation with the Department of Tourism (DOT) on the possible return of the mandatory DOT-accredited accommodation voucher for visitors entering Boracay.
PCCI-Boracay said tourists were required to present proof of a booking with a DOT-accredited accommodation from the island’s reopening in 2018 until 2023. The requirement was removed in 2023 following advocacy by PCCI-Boracay and other stakeholders.
The issue resurfaced as the DOT considers bringing back the voucher system to address the continued operation of accommodations, particularly Airbnb listings, that allegedly lack DOT accreditation and/or the necessary local permits.
PCCI-Boracay said it supports DOT accreditation and stronger enforcement against illegal accommodations, noting that legitimate tourism establishments spend considerable resources complying with accreditation, business permits and other regulatory requirements.
However, the business group said it disagrees with making tourists responsible for proving the compliance of their chosen accommodation.
PCCI-Boracay President Djila Winebrenner and Director Michael Sweeney attended the recent DOT stakeholder consultation and presented the group’s proposed alternative.
Under the proposal, the DOT and the Malay municipal government should work directly with Airbnb and similar booking platforms to ensure that only compliant accommodations are allowed to operate on their platforms.
Among the measures proposed were requiring a valid DOT Accreditation Number to be displayed on accommodation listings, requiring accreditation documents and a current Malay Municipal Business Permit to be submitted during onboarding and renewal, and establishing government reporting and takedown mechanisms for illegal listings.
PCCI-Boracay summarized its position as: “No valid DOT accreditation + no valid business permit = no active accommodation listing.”
The group said such a system would allow government agencies to strengthen enforcement and protect compliant businesses without requiring millions of legitimate visitors to secure another document before entering Boracay.
According to PCCI-Boracay, its proposal was broadly well received by stakeholders during the consultation.
The matter will still have to be elevated through the DOT regional office and eventually to the DOT Central Office for further consideration.
PCCI-Boracay said it would continue advocating for stronger accreditation and enforcement against illegal accommodation operators while seeking to keep the visitor experience as simple as possible.
“Make illegal accommodation harder to sell — not Boracay harder to visit,” the group said.