GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan government has issued public notices to national and foreign tourists to avoid availing services from unregistered tour companies and individuals while traveling to the region.

According to a public notice issued by GB Directorate of Tourist Services (GBDTS), some unregistered tour operators and guides are conducting illegal tourist operations in Gigit-Baltistan and also are compromising the services committed with their clients while booking their packages.

It said the act not only earned a bad name for Gilgit-Baltistan as a premier tourist destination in Pakistan, but also violates Section 7 (1) of GB Travel Agencies and Tour Operators Act 2020.

”The law implies that “no person shall hold himself/herself out or act as travel agency or tour operator unless he/she holds a license after complying with terms and conditions for grant of license”.

The notice added that it was mandatory for all tour operators/travel agents and tour guides operating/conducting tourism activities within the boundaries of GB are strictly required to possess and produce valid lcences issued by the relevant authority during the course of their operations.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2025