TCBS considering taking over licensing of travel agencies

Source: Kuensel.

           Feb 23rd 2013

TCBS considering taking over licensing of travel agencies

The Tourism Council of Bhutan Secretariat (TCBS), which issues licenses for tourist hotels and guides, is considering taking over licensing of local travel agencies from the regional trade and industry office (RTIO).

This is mainly to closely monitor tour operators. “The tourism industry being service oriented, is a fragile industry,” TCBS’s officiating joint director Thuji N Dorji said. “People who don’t land up anywhere land up as tour operators.”

As of January 31, more than 350 tour operators had not renewed their licenses records with RTIO show. The RTIO had issued licenses to 1,068 tour operators but only 961 of the total are registered with the secretariat.

To avail a travel agency license, a person first submits an application to the secretariat with the desired company name. The secretariat issues a recommendation letter or clearance if the name is available. The letter is then taken to the RTIO to process the license.

Once the tour operator gets his license, he has to open a bank account and register with TCBS to set up an account for the online visa application.

RTIO officials said they imposed a penalty of Nu 20 a day and the license gets cancelled if it’s still not renewed after six months. After cancellation, the tour operators have to reapply.

As of January 31, TCBS had issued 1063 recommendation letters for setting up of travel agencies.

Tourism officials said while RTIO renewed the licenses, it was the department of revenue and customs who were supposed to monitor those operating without renewing their licenses.

“Everybody’s assuming that the other is doing the monitoring,” Thuji N Dorji said. “But anyone who operates without renewing their license is illegal.”

While no discussions on the travel agency licensing has taken place regional trade officials said it was good if TCBS does it. TCBS officials said it would help them closely monitor tour operators if the secretariat issues licenses.

Meanwhile, the secretariat is closely monitoring tour operators who have been operating without a proper office set up.

Last year, the secretariat inspected 441offices of which 105 were found attached with residence but with proper demarcation while five were found without proper demarcation.

Tourism officials said offices without proper demarcation were set up in altars and living rooms. “Such tour operators were asked to set up proper offices and the inspection is being continued,” the secretariat’s media spokesperson said.

Another 11 tour operators had sought time extension for setting up of proper offices. “TCBS proposed visa suspension and cancellation of licenses in case of non-compliance to repeated reminders for travel agents who do not cooperate,” the media spokesperson said.

Kinga Dema