THE Gingoog City Council plans to offer a five to 10 percent discount on local business taxes for tourism establishments that apply for accreditation.

Councilor Fatima Grace F. Guanzon, who chairs the city’s Committee on Tourism and Cultural Affairs, said the proposed ordinance aims to encourage more businesses to seek the mandatory accreditation from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Guanzon announced her intention to file the ordinance during a September 12 public hearing on tourism accreditation.

The hearing was attended by various tourism business owners and officials, including Beverly Tapongot, a regional accreditation officer for DOT-10.

TAX BREAKS. Gingoog City Councilor Fatima Grace Guanzon (front, in pink) chairs a Sept. 12 public hearing on mandatory tourism accreditation. She is joined by Acting City Tourism Officer Ramon Rodel Reyes (center) and Beverly Tapongot of the Department of Tourism Region 10. Photo by Edwin Iyo

While the city will provide incentives to accredited businesses, Guanzon warned that those who fail to get accredited could face fines or even closure.

According to Ramon Rodel Reyes, the acting city tourism officer, only 23 of the 82 tourism-related establishments in Gingoog City are currently accredited by DOT-10.

This includes 16 of the 45 primary establishments, such as hotels and travel agencies, and seven of the 37 secondary establishments, which include restaurants and coffee shops.

Tapongot praised the proposed ordinance, saying it would significantly boost tourism accreditation efforts in Region 10, where only 462 tourism establishments are currently accredited.