Warning from the Ministry: Fines for Marketing Hotels and Residences Without Permits

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has issued a warning to travel agencies regarding hotels that lack tourism operation certificates and rental residences without permits. Hotels that do not comply will be unable to work with travel agencies.

In a letter sent to TÜRSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies), the Ministry reminded that, according to amendments in Law No. 2634 on the Promotion of Tourism, accommodation facilities needed to obtain either a tourism operation certificate or a simple operation certificate from the Ministry to operate.

Additionally, the Law No. 7474, which pertains to the rental of residences for tourism purposes and amends certain laws, mandates that residences rented for tourism purposes to both local and foreign individuals for periods of 100 days or less must obtain a permit from the Ministry.

Travel agencies marketing unlicensed hotels and unauthorized residences will face legal action. The Ministry emphasized that it was legally impermissible for travel agencies to work with accommodation facilities and residences that do not possess the required operation and permit certificates from the Ministry.

Travel agencies must ensure that they do not enter into agreements with such establishments. The Ministry warned that it would take legal action against travel agencies that advertise, market, or sell stays in hotels without tourism operation certificates or residences without permits.