Registration of Tour Operators made Compulsory by Government

To protect both domestic and foreign tourist from getting swindle by fly-by-night travel agents, the government of Delhi has made registration of all travel agents and tour operators mandatory in the Capital. According to the Delhi govt. officials the travelers can now file a case against deficiency of services to the tourism department. Moreover, if the charges are proved, fine will be charged along with which department can also cancel the permit and send the operator to jail.
A government official said, "It will help us keep a check on fly-by-night tour operators who often dupe tourists. The new rules will also set a benchmark for bigger tour operators who would think twice before providing sub-standard services”.
As per conservative estimate there are approx 3,500 big and small tour operators, travel and excursion agents operating in the city. As per the new law, the Tour Operators will now have to have to have a proper office space, have to mention the contact details of the nodal officer of the transport department along with their email addresses on their letterheads and other papers.
SP Singh, senior fellow and coordinator of Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training said, "We had been pursuing the government for almost five years to make registration of tour operators mandatory. We observed that exploitation of tourists had increased in the past few years. And most outstation tourists felt helpless as there was no mechanism in place to complain against travel agents. We worked in tandem with tourism department to create new rules”. The new rules have come into existence with notification of Delhi Motor Vehicles Rules 2011, according to which Rule 81 deals with tour operators and agents.
Now, next time if India Tour Operator books a sub-standard hotel for you at the price of a price of Delhi hotels or ask you to travel in non-ac car instead of promised sedan, you can register a complain after which their license will be suspended.