DoT Warns Public Against Boracay Travel Agency Over Alleged Fake Accreditation

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan — The Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office VI has warned the public against transacting with Islalakbay Travel and Tours, reportedly operating in Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, after discovering that the agency was using a tampered and fraudulent DOT accreditation certificate.

In a public advisory, DOT Region VI urged travelers to verify the accreditation status of travel agencies and tourism establishments before making reservations or sending payments.

The regional office cautioned that certificates posted on websites or social media accounts should not automatically be considered authentic, emphasizing the importance of checking their validity through official channels.

The depqrtment also encouraged the public to report suspicious social media accounts, falsified accreditation documents and suspected online scams to the appropriate government authorities to help protect other travelers.

DOT Region VI further advised tourists to choose DOT-accredited tourism establishments for a safer and more reliable travel experience. The public may scan the QR code provided in the advisory to access the list of DOT-accredited tourism establishments in Western Visayas.

The advisory forms part of the department’s efforts to promote responsible tourism, prevent fraudulent transactions and safeguard travelers visiting Western Visayas, including the popular island destination of Boracay.

This report is based on the public advisory issued by DOT Region VI. The agency’s warning regarding the accreditation certificate should not be interpreted as a finding that every transaction or service offered by the named business is fraudulent.