All tourist guides and tour operators were hereby informed that anyone who will be operating in tourist destinations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must now be formally register with Tourist Services Wing? Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (TSW-KP-CTA).
In a statement issued on Saturday by Conservator TSW-KP-CTA, Shah Nawaz Naveed, the regulation was being enforced under Tourism Act of 2019 and 2021 Tourism Sector Regulations to ensure better oversight and quality of service across all regional destinations.
Under these rules, it was now compulsory for operators to obtain a formal license before planning any trips. Guides are also required to carry these licenses with them at all times during their tours. To enforce this, specialized inspection teams will be patrolling tourist areas starting today.
These teams have the authority to check for documentation and impose immediate, heavy fines on any unregistered individuals or businesses.
The penalties for non-compliance are significant. If a tour group was found operating without necessary paperwork, the group may be turned back from their destination. Furthermore, the responsible guide or operator could face a formal show-cause notice and a fine of up to Rs 40,000.
Before booking a trip, travellers are advised to verify the license information of their chosen guides or operators. By doing so, tourists can avoid inconvenience of having their trips interrupted and help support a more organized and legal tourism industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Source: Pakistan Today
