Tourism Regulatory Authority Issues Advisory to Tourists Ahead of Peak Tourism Season

The Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) has issued a public advisory urging tourists and tourism stakeholders to engage only licensed tourism enterprises as the country enters the peak tourism season.

In a press statement dated July 20, the authority reminded accommodation facilities, tour operators, travel agents, online travel platforms, destination management companies and tourist transport operators to verify the licensing status of their business partners before making payments, referrals or entering into commercial arrangements.

“As Kenya enters the peak tourism season, the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) reminds stakeholders and the public to engage only tourism enterprises holding a valid TRA licence,” read part of the statement.

Tourism Regulatory Authority Urges Tourism Businesses to Verify Licences

According to the Tourism Regulatory Authority, all tourism enterprises should confirm that their business partners hold a valid TRA licence before making payments, referrals or entering into commercial arrangements.

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The Authority further directed that licensed tourism enterprises should not pay commissions, referral fees, incentives or any other form of remuneration to individuals or entities required to be licensed under the Tourism Act, 2011, unless they possess a valid TRA licence.

TRA also advised licensed tourism businesses to insist on being presented with a valid TRA licence before making commission or referral payments.

In addition, the Tourism Regulatory Authority stated that they should verify that the licence is current and belongs to the enterprise presenting it, refrain from doing business with unlicensed tourism operators and report any suspected unlicensed tourism activities to the regulator.

“Licensed tourism enterprises are therefore advised to Insist on being provided with a valid TRA licence before making any commission or referral payment, verify that the licence is current and corresponds to the enterprise presenting it, refrain from entering into commercial arrangements with unlicensed tourism enterprises, and report suspected unlicensed tourism operations to the Authority,” TRA stated.

Authority Warns of Legal Consequences

TRA further warned that operating or conducting business with unlicensed tourism enterprises violates Kenya’s tourism laws and could attract regulatory action.

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According to the Authority, dealing with unlicensed operators undermines compliant businesses, exposes tourists and tourism enterprises to fraud and substandard services, and damages Kenya’s reputation as a safe and high-quality tourism destination.

“Operating or conducting business with unlicensed tourism enterprises violates applicable tourism laws and may attract regulatory action. Such operations undermine compliant businesses, expose visitors and enterprises to fraud and substandard services, and damage Kenya’s reputation as a safe and high-quality tourism destination,” read part of the statement.

The regulator also urged stakeholders to verify the validity of tourism licences whenever they are in doubt before entering into any business arrangement.

TRA said the advisory is intended to promote transparency, strengthen confidence in Kenya’s tourism sector and protect visitors as the country welcomes an increase in domestic and international travellers during the peak tourism season.

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A photo showing the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) advisory to Tourists. Photo /TRA / X