Tourism department has uncovered 64 unregistered travel operators running businesses exclusively through social media platforms.
The illegal activity was detected in Islamabad, where dozens of travel agents were found operating without licenses, offices, or regulatory approval. Authorities said the operators marketed tour packages online, collected advance payments, and bypassed mandatory registration requirements.
The disclosure follows official correspondence sent by the Department of Tourist Services under the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination. The department formally complained to the Federal Investigation Agency Cyber Crime Wing, seeking immediate action against unregistered travel and tour operators active on social media.
According to the official letter, Section 6 of the Travel Agencies Act, 1976 explicitly prohibits any person from operating as a travel agent or tour operator without holding a valid license. The law also bars individuals or firms from presenting themselves as travel agencies without regulatory approval.
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Officials stated that reminders were issued on May 16 and July 8, 2024, after earlier correspondence dating back to November 2021 failed to curb the practice. The department said the problem had expanded, with a growing number of operators shifting entirely to digital platforms.
| S. No. | Name of Tour Operator |
|---|---|
| 1 | Real Tours and Travels |
| 2 | Tours and Travel Guide |
| 3 | Welcome Pakistan Travel Pvt. Ltd |
| 4 | Open Enterprises Travel & Tours |
| 5 | Haidery Tours |
| 6 | Safari Backpackers |
| 7 | Heaven Quester |
| 8 | North Gateways |
| 9 | Tour and Event Planners |
| 10 | North Pakistan Adventure |
| 11 | Explorestan Travel & Tours |
| 12 | Apna Tours |
| 13 | AM Trekkers & Tours |
| 14 | Nature Explorers Tours (Pvt.) Ltd |
| 15 | Lavender Travel & Tours |
| 16 | Karve |
| 17 | Beautiful Baltistan Travels & Tours |
| 18 | Heaven Quarter |
| 19 | Niazli Treks and Tours |
| 20 | Sastatrip.pk |
| 21 | Skyline Holidays (SMC-Pvt) Ltd |
| 22 | Pak Travel and Tours |
| 23 | Future Travel & Tours |
| 24 | Pack & Go Travels |
| 25 | Innovative Travels and Tours |
| 26 | Travelcations.pk |
| 27 | Global Adventures |
| 28 | Safari Tours & Trekkers |
| 29 | Ultra Adventure Club |
| 30 | North X-Travel & Tours |
| 31 | Rare Adventure’s |
| 32 | Airian Adventure |
| 33 | Elegant Planners |
| 34 | Musafir.pk |
| 35 | Speedy Adventure Club |
| 36 | Backpack Adventure |
| 37 | Flypro Travels and Tours |
| 38 | Aa Abbasi Travel and Tour (Tripplan.pk) |
| 39 | Lexus Tours & Adventure |
| 40 | Trips Pakistan |
| 41 | SSC Travel & Tours |
| 42 | Global Access Travel & Tours |
| 43 | Aliyan Travels and Tours |
| 44 | Aleen Travel and Tours |
| 45 | Kalyal International Travel & Tours |
| 46 | Cruise Air Travel & Tours |
| 47 | Tirmizi Travel & Tours (Pvt.) Ltd |
| 48 | Easy Journey Travel & Tours |
| 49 | Nashah Travels |
| 50 | Islamabad Tours |
| 51 | Butt Tour Organizer |
| 52 | Rashid Tours & Travels |
| 53 | JJ Travels & Tours Pakistan |
| 54 | The Ali Air Travel & Tours |
| 55 | Mun International |
| 56 | Karve Adventures |
| 57 | Safari Backpack Adventure |
| 58 | Global Adventures Pakistan |
| 59 | North Pakistan Treks |
| 60 | Explorer’s Hub Travel |
| 61 | Sky Trails Pakistan |
| 62 | Alpine Escape Tours |
| 63 | Karve Travel Services |
| 64 | Global Adventure Club |
The illegal operators were found advertising on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Google websites. Many lacked verifiable business addresses, landline numbers, or proof of registration, increasing the risk of consumer fraud.
The list of 64 unregistered operators was obtained by NewzTodays, confirming that enforcement agencies have been provided detailed information, including names, contact numbers, and social media links.
Among the entities identified were Real Tours and Travels, Tours and Travel Guide, Welcome Pakistan Travel Pvt Ltd, Open Enterprises Travel and Tours, Haidery Tours, Safari Backpackers, Heaven Quester, North Gateways, and Tour and Event Planners.
Other operators named in the list include Karve, Beautiful Baltistan Travels and Tours, Heaven Quarter, Niazli Treks and Tours, Sastatrip.pk, Skyline Holidays (SMC-Pvt) Ltd, Pak Travel and Tours, Future Travel and Tours, Pack and Go Travels, Innovative Travels and Tours, and Travelcations.pk.
The document also lists Global Adventures, Safari Tours and Trekkers, Ultra Adventure Club, North X-Travel and Tours, Rare Adventure’s, Airian Adventure, Elegant Planners, Musafir.pk, and Speedy Adventure Club as unlicensed entities.
Further names include North Pakistan Adventure, Explorestan Travel and Tours, Apna Tours, AM Trekkers and Tours, Nature Explorers Tours (Pvt) Ltd, Lavender Travel and Tours, Backpack Adventure, Lexus Tours and Adventure, Trips Pakistan, SSC Travel and Tours, Global Access Travel and Tours, Aliyan Travels and Tours, and Aleen Travel and Tours.
The remaining operators identified were Flypro Travels and Tours, Tripplan.pk, Kalyal International Travel and Tours, Cruise Air Travel and Tours, Tirmizi Travel and Tours (Pvt) Ltd, Easy Journey Travel and Tours, Nashah Travels, Islamabad Tours, Butt Tour Organizer, Rashid Tours and Travels, JJ Travels and Tours Pakistan, The Ali Air Travel and Tours, and Mund International.
Officials said several of these operators claimed office addresses that could not be verified during inspections. Others listed addresses but were found operating primarily through social media messaging and online advertisements.
Authorities warned that such practices expose consumers to financial fraud, fake bookings, and cancelled trips without refunds. Complaints received by regulators in recent years include cases where operators disappeared after receiving payments.
Pakistan’s tourism sector has expanded rapidly, driven by domestic travel growth and increased outbound demand. Government estimates suggest tens of millions of domestic tourist trips annually, creating space for both legitimate businesses and illegal operators.
Licensed tour operators are required to register with the Department of Tourist Services, maintain physical offices, and comply with tax and consumer protection regulations. Operating without registration constitutes a criminal offence under existing law.
The FIA has been asked to initiate cybercrime proceedings to block social media pages, investigate financial trails, and take legal action against those involved. Officials said coordination with social media platforms may also be pursued to restrict illegal advertising.
Authorities urged the public to verify travel agents through official registration records before making payments. Consumers were advised to avoid deals offered exclusively through social media pages lacking verifiable credentials.
The Department of Tourist Services said it would continue sharing intelligence with enforcement agencies to curb illegal online travel operations in Islamabad. Officials added that stronger enforcement was essential to protect consumers and maintain credibility in Pakistan’s growing tourism sector.
