DTS cancels licences of 27 travel agencies

The Department of Tourist Services (DTS) has cancelled licences of 27 travel agencies due to multiple reasons, official sources told Business Recorder. DTS took this step a few days ago because some travel agencies, out of 27, have not paid their renewal fees, while others have crossed their permission limit.
According to a letter, No DTS-3(590)/93, the DTS has axed licences of following agencies: Advance Travel and Tours, S S Travel and Tours, Bonds International Services, Fly Comforts, Al-Jamal Travel and Tours, Mehboob Air Travel, Dawn Travels, Huzaifa Travels, Karwan-e-Zamzama Travel and Tours, Karwan-e-Al-Aziz Haj and Umrah, Karwan-e-Ansar Haj, Khamisani Sons, Marwat Travel, Khokhar Travels, Kech Makran Travels, MMB Travels, Chiltan Air Travels, Konain Travel and Tours, Harm-e-Mustafa Travels, US Global Resource Marketing, Chandna Travel and Tours, Mega Travel and Tours, Janwri Brothers Haj and Umrah, Sky Delta Travel, Al-Naeem Travel and Tours, Mehran Travel Services, and S&Z Travel and Tours, sources said.
However, DTS restored licences of Sky Delta Travel, Al-Naeem Travel and Tours and Mehran Travel Services because management of above agencies completed legal formalities soon after the cancellation of their licences, sources added. Above mentioned all travel agencies are working in various parts of Karachi.
Sources said that there are various types of licences. If any travel agency crosses its permit limit, its licecse may be cancelled, while if any travel agency would not pay its renewal fees the DTS has the right to cancel its licence without informing the management of such travel agency.
When contacted, Secretary, Tourism, Dilawar Ali Mangi, told Business Recorder that there are millions of rupees arrears against a large number of travel agencies throughout province. Cancellation of licences is part of recovery of that big amount, he added. He said that DTS officials are restoring licences of travel agencies on receiving penalty amount which is minimum Rs one thousand to maximum Rs 25 thousand. He said that this is the first phase. DTS would cancel more licences of travel agencies which are not paying their dues for many years and crossing their official permit limits.