IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY REGARDING THE INTEGRATION OF THE SYSTEM FOR UNLICENSED FACILITY/RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS AND DATA VERIFICATION (API)
Dear Members,
Circular No. 2026/4, dated August 14, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, sets forth the procedures and principles that our members engaged in promotional, marketing, and sales activities in the digital environment are required to follow.
In accordance with the circular, the legal obligations that must be observed are as follows:
- It is prohibited to advertise, market, or sell residential properties and lodging establishments that do not hold a Residential Property Rental Permit for Tourism Purposes, a Tourism Business License, a Temporary Tourism Business License, or a Simple Accommodation Tourism Business License on digital platforms, websites, mobile apps, and online reservation platforms.
- It has been announced that accommodation facilities and residential properties that do not hold a license issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey are closed to reservations; therefore, the continued publication of any promotional information or images regarding them is also subject to the same prohibition. For example, continuing to publish advertisements for unlicensed facilities and residential properties with the phrase “Closed for Sales” would constitute a violation of the regulations.
- Making removed listings available again later through the same or different accounts or listings will constitute a violation of the regulations.
- The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey has established an online verification infrastructure with the domain https://tga.gov.tr/en/activities/announcements/facility-verify-api to confirm the accuracy of information regarding facilities and residences—particularly document numbers—in electronic listings. All members engaged in online sales, marketing, and promotion are required to promptly integrate their own software infrastructure with the aforementioned Data Verification API system.
- It is stated that the necessary administrative sanctions will be imposed regarding actions that violate the relevant regulations, as identified during the investigations and evaluations to be conducted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey.
In this regard, to ensure that our valued members do not face administrative sanctions, we respectfully bring to your attention the need to review the Circular included in Annex - 1, refrain from publishing any advertisements for unlicensed or unauthorized lodging facilities and residential properties, and promptly complete the integration process with the Ministry’s Data Verification System.
Association of Turkish Travel Agencies
TÜRSAB