Where Tour and Transfer Reservations Should Not Be Made in Turkey
Tourists visiting Turkey should always check whether the person or business selling a tour or transfer is legally authorized to provide that service.
In tourist areas, some individuals and businesses accept tour or transfer reservations and collect payments even though they are not legally authorized to do so. These sales are illegal.
Tour and transfer reservations should only be made through legally authorized businesses.
Do not book tours or transfers from beach water sports operators
Water sports businesses operating on beaches may only provide the water sports activities covered by their permits.
They may offer services such as jet skiing, parasailing, banana boat rides and similar water sports. However, they are not legally authorized to sell tours or transfers.
Water sports operators are prohibited from:
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Selling boat tours
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Accepting jeep safari reservations
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Selling rafting or cultural tours
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Selling airport transfers
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Accepting private transfer reservations
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Collecting payments for tours or transfers
Do not book tours or transfers through beach water sports operators.
Do not buy tours or transfers from street sellers
Street sellers operating on roads, promenades, beaches and in tourist areas are not legally authorized to accept tour or transfer reservations.
It is illegal for street sellers to collect money from tourists and create tour or transfer bookings.
Low prices, special discounts, last-minute offers or promises of free hotel pick-up do not make these sales legal.
Do not pay street sellers, provide them with passport details or make reservations through them.
Do not book tours or transfers at hotel reception desks
Hotel reception staff are not legally authorized to sell tours or transfers, accept reservations or collect payments for these services.
The fact that a business operates as a hotel does not give its reception staff the right to act as a travel agency.
Hotel reception staff are prohibited from:
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Selling tours
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Accepting transfer reservations
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Collecting cash for tours or transfers
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Requesting payment to a personal bank account
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Creating reservations without presenting the details of an authorized travel agency
Tour and transfer reservations must be made through a TÜRSAB member travel agency, not through a hotel reception desk.
Do not buy tours or transfers from hotel waiters
Waiters working in hotel restaurants, bars, pool areas, beach sections or service areas are not legally authorized to sell tours or transfers.
Working in a hotel, regularly speaking with guests or providing local information does not authorize a waiter to accept tour or transfer reservations.
Hotel waiters are prohibited from:
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Directly accepting tour reservations
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Selling boat tours or safaris
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Accepting airport transfer bookings
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Collecting cash for tours or transfers
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Creating reservations through personal phone numbers
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Directing tourists to unauthorized sellers and receiving payment
Do not pay hotel waiters for tours or transfers. Make your reservation only through an authorized travel agency.
Do not book tours or transfers through restaurant waiters
Waiters working in restaurants, cafés, bars and entertainment venues are not legally authorized to sell tours or transfers.
A waiter recommending a particular tour, boat, transfer vehicle or activity does not give that person the legal right to sell the service.
Restaurant waiters are prohibited from:
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Accepting tour reservations
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Selling transfers
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Creating bookings on behalf of tourists
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Collecting payments for tours or transfers
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Requesting payment to a personal account
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Making unregistered sales on behalf of another business
Do not pay restaurant or bar staff for tours or transfers. Before purchasing any service they recommend, verify that the company providing it is a TÜRSAB member travel agency.
Licensed yellow taxis may provide transfers but cannot sell tours
Licensed yellow taxis may legally provide passenger transport and transfer services within the scope of their transport licences.
Tourists may use licensed yellow taxis for transport between airports, hotels and other locations. A licensed taxi may legally carry passengers and provide a direct transfer service.
However, taxi drivers are not legally authorized to sell tours.
Taxi drivers are prohibited from:
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Selling boat tours
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Accepting jeep safari reservations
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Selling rafting or cultural tours
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Collecting payments for tours operated by other companies
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Acting as a travel agency and creating tour reservations
Licensed taxis may provide transport and transfer services, but they cannot sell tours or accept tour reservations.
Who may provide transfer services?
Licensed yellow taxis may provide passenger transport and transfer services within the scope of their legal transport licences.
Apart from licensed taxis, organizing tourist transfers, accepting transfer reservations and selling packaged transfer services are activities reserved for TÜRSAB member travel agencies.
Beach water sports businesses, street sellers, hotel reception staff, hotel waiters and restaurant staff may not sell transfers, accept transfer reservations or collect payment for transfer services.
Airport transfers, private transfers, round-trip transfers and transport services sold together with tours should be purchased from authorized travel agencies.
Where should tour and transfer reservations be made?
Tour reservations must only be made through authorized TÜRSAB member travel agencies.
Legal booking channels include:
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The official office of a TÜRSAB member travel agency
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The official website of a TÜRSAB member travel agency
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The official online booking system of the travel agency
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The official communication and payment channels of the travel agency
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Licensed yellow taxis, only for direct transport and transfer services
Yellow taxis may provide transfers within the scope of their transport licences. Taxi drivers may not sell tours or accept tour reservations.
Do not book through websites without a TÜRSAB Digital Verification Label
A website selling tours or transfers online must display the TÜRSAB Digital Verification Label.
This label verifies that the website belongs to a legal travel agency registered with TÜRSAB.
When the label is clicked, the official TÜRSAB verification page must open, and the address bar must show the domain tursab.org.tr.
The travel agency name and operating licence information shown on the verification page must match the company details displayed on the booking website.
A simple TÜRSAB logo is not sufficient. A logo image can be copied and placed on an illegal website. The TÜRSAB Digital Verification Label must be clickable and must open the official TÜRSAB verification page.
Tour and transfer websites without a TÜRSAB Digital Verification Label are illegal. Do not make a reservation or payment through these websites.
Risks of booking through unauthorized sellers
Tour and transfer reservations made through unauthorized individuals or businesses involve serious risks.
In such cases:
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The tour or transfer may never take place.
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The payment may not be refunded.
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No invoice or booking confirmation may be provided.
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A different vehicle or service may be supplied.
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The vehicle may not have the required permits or documents.
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Insurance and safety problems may arise.
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There may be no legal company to contact after an accident or complaint.
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Personal information may be misused.
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The vehicle or activity may be stopped during an official inspection.
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Travel plans may be disrupted and additional costs may arise.
An unauthorized offer that appears cheaper may later lead to serious financial loss and safety problems.
What should be checked before making a reservation?
Before booking a tour or transfer, always check the following:
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Is the seller a TÜRSAB member travel agency?
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Does the company hold a valid travel agency operating licence?
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Does the website display a TÜRSAB Digital Verification Label?
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Does the label open the official TÜRSAB website?
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Is payment made directly to the authorized company?
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Is a written booking confirmation or invoice provided?
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Are the company name and contact details clearly displayed?
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Is the transfer vehicle legally licensed and documented?
Do not complete the reservation if any of this information is missing.
Stay away from unauthorized tour and transfer sellers
Beach water sports businesses are prohibited from selling tours or transfers.
Street sellers are prohibited from accepting tour or transfer reservations.
Hotel reception staff are prohibited from selling tours or transfers and collecting payments.
Hotel waiters are prohibited from accepting tour or transfer reservations.
Waiters working in restaurants, cafés, bars and entertainment venues are prohibited from selling tours or transfers.
Licensed yellow taxis may legally provide transport and transfer services, but they may not sell tours or accept tour reservations.
Apart from licensed taxis, organizing transfers and accepting transfer reservations are activities reserved for TÜRSAB member travel agencies.
Tour and transfer reservations must only be made through legal offices, TÜRSAB member travel agencies and the official websites of those agencies displaying a valid TÜRSAB Digital Verification Label.
Vigo Tours was established in 2000 and operates as a licensed Group A travel agency, officially registered with TÜRSAB and authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Its legal permits and operating licenses are renewed regularly under the supervision of the relevant authorities.
For a safe booking experience, always choose licensed and authorized travel agencies. Avoid unlicensed agencies, unauthorized tour operators, and illegal tour sellers.
