Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority has issued a strict directive mandating that all tour guides and tour operators engaging in tourism activities within the province’s scenic destinations must be officially registered and licensed.

According to Umar Khan, Controller of the Tourist Services Wing, all operators must comply with the Tourism Act 2019 (Section 2, Clause af, Schedule I-(b)) and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hospitality and Tourism Sector (Registration, Licensing and Classification of Tourism Products) Regulations 2021, Clause 60.

From now on, inspection teams from the Tourist Services Wing will be conducting checks at tourist locations. Any tour guide or operator found operating without a valid license will face immediate penalties, including fines of up to Rs. 40,000 and expulsion of their tour groups from the area.

The Authority has also advised tourists to verify the license status of their selected tour guides and operators before making travel plans, to avoid inconvenience and promote responsible tourism.

“This initiative aims to ensure safety, accountability, and professional standards across the province’s growing tourism sector,” said Umar Khan.