Delhi to have mandatory registration of travel agents

Delhi to soon have mandatory registration of travel agents. This is good news for domestic and international tourists planning to visit Delhi or make bookings for other parts of the country through Delhi-based travel agents. All travel agents based in Delhi will have to register with a nodal authority in Delhi government. A complaint number will be announced by the government at which a tourist can lodge complaint against faulty service or service below the promised standard. It is expected that registration itself will deter operators from fleecing or short-changing tourists. Registration would also mean that tourists will have a way to check whether a travel agent is genuine or a fly-by-night operator.

There are over 3500 travel agents operating from Delhi. Many have their websites and many others operate through references and on-the-spot contact with tourists.

Registration of travel agents is likely to start within this calendar year.

At present, Government of India runs a voluntary scheme of registration of travel agents and another one for tour operators. However, these schemes being voluntary, many travel agents and tour operators do not register themselves.