DAVAO CITY — City officials are urging local business proprietors operating in the hospitality and travel sectors to complete their annual registration or renewal with the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO). The initiative aims to streamline municipal compliance while fortifying the city’s economic position as a premier regional commercial hub.
Under local regulations, all primary and secondary tourism-oriented enterprises must secure their City Tourism Certificate for 2026. Official municipal guidelines mandate this compliance to ensure seamless commercial operations, noting that failure to complete the process within the current year will result in the non-renewal of business permits for 2027.
Primary establishments subject to the requirement include hotels, apartelles, tourist inns, pension houses, motels, bed and breakfast facilities, vacation rentals, hostels, and guest houses. The directive also extends to digital accommodation booking platforms such as Airbnb and Agoda, alongside travel agencies, resorts, land and sea tourist transport operators, tour guides, and professional congress organizers.
Meanwhile, secondary tourism enterprises must likewise comply with the annual certification. This category encompasses agri-tourism ventures, amusement centers, coffee shops, dive outlets, function halls, entertainment lounges, restaurants, souvenir shops, wellness spas, sports facilities, special event organizers, and island-hopping operators located throughout the metropolis.
During a recent broadcast on the city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio, CTOO Personnel Development Officer III SJ Salvador emphasized that official certification serves as verifiable proof of compliance with municipal safety and service standards. Acquiring the certificate reassures international and domestic visitors that an establishment operates responsibly while maintaining high operational quality.
Salvador noted that fulfilling these regulatory steps gives business owners a competitive advantage by instilling client confidence and establishing that their premises are fully tourist-ready. Proper registration also integrates local merchants into the city’s broader economic promotion network, strengthening overall market resilience across the region.
To facilitate processing, the CTOO accepts applications on the fourth floor of the Davao City Investment and Tourism Promotion Center Building along Palma Gil Street. Satellite processing stations have also been established at the Sangguniang Panlungsod to accommodate business owners seeking registration services throughout the week.
Operators requiring additional guidance may reach the Davao City Tourism Licensing Office via mobile at 0968-223-0613, landline at (082) 285-5755 local 402, or email at [email protected]. Completing the certification promptly allows local enterprises to avoid operational delays and maintain full business continuity heading into the coming year.
