Tourism department becomes Google verifier

The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Saturday said it had entered into a partnership with Google Philippines as the first Google My Business (GMB) Trusted Verifier in the country.

As a GMB Trusted Verifier, the DOT will instantly verify via the Quick Response code method all local DOT-accredited micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and make them discoverable on Search, Maps and other Google products.

This means all accredited tourism MSMEs do not need to mail documents and wait for the vetting period of 30 to 60 days just to be verified on GMB.

“The DOT is looking forward to working closely with Google in digitizing our tourism establishments in the country, as well as in showcasing to local and foreign tourists alike all the best that the Philippines has to offer,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement.

Puyat forged the partnership during a meeting with Google Philippines marketing and public policy chiefs Gabby Roxas and Yves Gonzalez on Friday.

According to the DOT, verified businesses will be able to manage their GMB profiles by listing their products and services, as well as being easily searchable and accessible to customers.

Businesses can also view insights directly from their business profile on GMB and check how often their profiles have been been viewed and how popular their businesses are with current and potential customers.

For his part, Gonzalez said the partnership with DOT was part of the technology company’s commitment to connect Filipinos to the opportunities of the digital economy.

“We hope that this partnership with the DOT will help in the growth of our local tourism by making the products and services of MSMEs easily searchable online by more tourists,” he said.