Responsible Hosting Standards

Identify and Mark Hazards

Walk every area accessible to guests before opening bookings — and again after heavy rain, typhoons, or other events that can alter terrain. Identify and clearly mark or fence off:

• Cliff edges, unstable slopes, and erosion-prone paths
• Deep or fast-moving water (rivers, waterfalls, tidal zones)
• Loose rocks, dead trees, or other falling-object risks
• Wildlife habitats (bee colonies, snake dens, nesting areas)
• Electrical installations, generators, or fuel storage
• Cooking and fire areas — especially open-pit grills
• Slippery walkways, uneven ground, or poorly lit paths at night

Use clearly visible signage in both English and Filipino where appropriate. Do not rely on verbal warnings alone.

Provide First-Aid Access

Keep a stocked first-aid kit in an accessible, clearly marked location that you communicate to guests at check-in. The kit should include, at minimum: wound dressings and bandages, antiseptic solution, elastic bandage for sprains, disposable gloves, a triangular bandage, and basic over-the-counter pain relief. Replenish used items after every stay.

Hosts who offer water activities (kayaking, river trekking, swimming) must additionally provide life-saving equipment (life jackets, throw ropes) appropriate for the number of simultaneous users.

Fire Safety

Designate specific fire areas and communicate fire rules to guests before or upon arrival. Provide a bucket of sand or water near every open-fire zone. During PAGASA-declared dry seasons, DENR fire bans, or local government advisories, suspend open-fire activities and notify upcoming guests promptly.

Structural Integrity

Any shelter, platform, elevated walkway, or permanent structure guests can use must be inspected regularly and maintained to a safe standard. If a structure is damaged and awaiting repair, close it off and note the restriction in your listing until repairs are complete.

Photos Must Reflect Reality

Use only current, unedited photos of your actual campsite. Do not use stock images, heavily filtered shots, or photos from a different property. If you make significant changes (new structures, cleared trees, flood damage), update your photos within 14 days.

Amenities and Facilities

List only amenities that are reliably available during the booking window — running water, flush toilets, Wi-Fi, power outlets, cooking facilities, and the like. If an amenity is seasonal (e.g., river swimming depends on water level), say so. If a facility breaks down before a confirmed booking, notify the guest immediately and offer a partial refund or cancellation.

Capacity and Site Layout

State the actual maximum guest capacity and tent pitch count your site can safely and comfortably accommodate. Do not oversell to collect more bookings; overcrowding degrades the guest experience and creates safety risks.

Rules and Restrictions

Be upfront about your campsite rules: no-pets policy, alcohol restrictions, noise curfew, check-in and check-out times, vehicle access limits, and any age requirements. Surprise rules on arrival are a leading cause of negative reviews.

Pricing Transparency

The price guests see when booking must include all fees you control — site fees, parking, firewood, and similar charges. Do not collect undisclosed fees in person upon arrival.

Response Time Standard

Respond to new booking inquiries and messages from confirmed guests within 24 hours, and ideally within 4 hours during business hours (8 AM–8 PM). Hosts who consistently fail to meet response-time expectations may be deprioritized in search results.

Pre-Arrival Information

Send confirmed guests detailed arrival instructions at least 48 hours before check-in: how to reach the campsite (including pin-drop location), parking arrangements, gate codes or contact number for arrival, what to bring, and any relevant conditions on the ground (trail status, road conditions, current weather advisory).

Cancellations and Changes

If you need to cancel an accepted booking, notify the guest as early as possible and process the refund promptly per Camps PH's cancellation policy. Repeated host-initiated cancellations are a serious policy violation. If a force majeure event (typhoon, flooding) makes your site inaccessible, communicate proactively and follow platform guidelines.

Conduct All Transactions on Platform

Keep all booking communications and payments within Camps PH. Off-platform transactions are not covered by our guest protection policies and may result in account suspension.

Business Registration

Register your campsite operation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) if operating as a sole proprietor, or with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) if incorporated. Secure a Mayor's Permit (Business Permit) from your local government unit (LGU) and renew it annually.

Barangay Clearance

Obtain a barangay clearance from your local barangay hall before accepting commercial guests. Many LGUs require this as a prerequisite for the Mayor's Permit.

DENR and Protected-Area Permits

Campsites located within or adjacent to protected areas, national parks, or NIPAS-covered zones require prior written consent and a Permit to Operate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). Operating without this permit is illegal under RA 7586 (NIPAS Act) and may result in closure.

Land Tenure and Authority

You must have documented authority over the land you are using — whether through ownership (TCT/OCT), a valid lease agreement, a usufruct arrangement, or a community-based forest management agreement. Camps PH requires proof of land authority during host KYC onboarding.

Tourism Accreditation

Voluntary accreditation with the Department of Tourism (DOT) under the Tourism Act of 2009 (RA 9593) is strongly recommended. Accredited campsites signal credibility to guests and may qualify for government tourism development support. Some LGUs require DOT accreditation for commercial campsite operations; verify your local rules.

Tax Obligations

Register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), file and pay income tax and percentage tax (or VAT if applicable) on income earned from bookings, and issue official receipts to guests upon request. Camps PH will report payouts to you; you remain responsible for your own tax filings.

Activity-Specific Permits

Certain activities require additional permits: open-fire clearance, pyrotechnics, water sports operations, wildlife interaction programs, or guiding services in protected watersheds. Check with your LGU, DENR regional office, and the relevant activity regulator before advertising these activities in your listing.

Leave No Trace Principles

Incorporate the seven Leave No Trace (LNT) principles into your campsite rules and welcome materials, and model them in your own operations:

• Plan ahead and prepare — brief guests on site conditions, rules, and weather before arrival.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces — designate tent zones on compacted or hardened ground; avoid riparian areas and fragile vegetation.
• Dispose of waste properly — provide segregated waste bins; enforce pack-in/pack-out for non-biodegradable waste; follow LGU solid-waste ordinances.
• Leave what you find — prohibit guests from collecting plants, rocks, shells, or wildlife.
• Minimize campfire impact — restrict fires to established rings; use locally sourced firewood and never cut live trees.
• Respect wildlife — keep a safe distance from wild animals; do not feed them; secure food and waste from foraging animals at night.
• Be considerate of other visitors — enforce noise curfews, respect neighboring land users, and control the use of generators and music equipment.

Waste Management

Set up clearly labelled segregated bins for biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and residual waste in compliance with RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act). Arrange regular waste collection or transport waste to the nearest LGU collection facility yourself. Never burn or bury non-biodegradable waste.

Sanitation and Wastewater

Toilet and washing facilities must prevent untreated wastewater from reaching waterways. Pit latrines must be sited at least 60 meters from water sources and properly sealed when full. Where flush toilets are used, ensure connection to a working septic system inspected and compliant with local sanitation ordinances.

Carrying Capacity

Limit the number of simultaneous guests to what your site can support without degradation. If high visitation is visibly damaging vegetation, trails, or water quality, reduce your listed capacity and allow recovery time. Healthy ecosystems are what guests pay to experience.

Invasive Species and Chemicals

Avoid introducing invasive plant or animal species to your site. Use biodegradable cleaning products and personal care items (soap, shampoo, sunscreen) near water bodies, and encourage guests to do the same by noting this in your campsite guidelines.

Use Data Only for the Booking

Guest personal data shared through the Camps PH platform must be used exclusively to manage the confirmed reservation — sending arrival directions, confirming headcount, and coordinating check-in and check-out. You may not use guest contact details for independent marketing, share them with third parties, or retain them for any purpose beyond the immediate hosting relationship.

Secure Storage

If you keep any record of guest contact information (e.g., a guestbook or arrival logbook required by your LGU or DENR), store it securely — locked away from public access — and dispose of it securely when no longer needed. Do not leave guest records accessible to other guests or staff who have no need to see them.

No Surveillance Without Disclosure

If you operate security cameras on your property, disclose their presence clearly in your listing and on visible signage at the campsite. Cameras must never be placed inside tents, cabins, bathrooms, or any area where guests have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Covert surveillance of guests is a serious violation of the DPA and of Camps PH policies.

Respect the Communication Platform

Use the Camps PH in-app messaging system for booking communications. Do not transfer guest data to personal messaging apps or third-party marketing tools without explicit guest consent.

Public Liability Insurance

Public liability (third-party liability) insurance covers you against claims from guests or third parties for bodily injury or property damage that occurs on your campsite. Given the inherent physical risks of outdoor accommodation — uneven terrain, open fires, water features, wildlife — this is the most important coverage for a campsite host. Look for a policy that explicitly covers commercial hospitality or eco-tourism activities, not just residential use.

Property Insurance

Protect your campsite structures, equipment, and improvements (glamping tents, restroom blocks, storage facilities) against fire, typhoon, flood, and theft. Standard residential homeowner policies typically exclude commercial activity; verify that your policy covers paying guests.

Personal Accident Coverage for Guests

Some hosts offer or require guests to carry personal accident insurance for high-risk activities (rappelling, river trekking, mountain biking). If you offer guided activities, check whether your guides and activity operators carry their own professional liability or adventure-sports liability coverage.

Business Interruption

Consider business interruption coverage for income lost during periods when your campsite is closed due to a covered peril (typhoon damage, flooding). The Philippines' typhoon season (June–November) makes this particularly relevant for coastal and highland campsites.

Employer's Liability

If you employ on-site staff — caretakers, guides, kitchen workers — you are required by law (RA 8291, RA 1161 as amended) to register them with SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. Employer's liability insurance supplements these statutory obligations by covering work-related injuries not fully addressed by the Social Security System.