PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Recent statements made by certain professional organizations regarding D2 authorization certificate-based transport activities have been closely monitored.

First and foremost, it should be emphasized that the legal framework and supervision of road passenger transport activities are carried out by the competent public authorities in accordance with the relevant legislation. The authority to determine and enforce whether an activity is lawful does not lie with any sector representative or professional organization, but directly with the relevant public authorities.

Tourism transport is a distinct field of activity that has long served the country’s tourism sector and operates under its own legislation, authorization certificates, registration systems, and inspection mechanisms. Enterprises operating in this field provide services within the scope of the authorization certificates issued by the relevant ministries.

Transport services are an indispensable part of tourism activities. However, it is also clear that entities providing only transportation services engaging in tourism-related activities such as tours or transfers without a travel agency license are in violation of the legislation. It should be noted that transport operators conducting tour or transfer-like tourism services without being licensed as travel agencies are acting contrary to the regulations.

We believe that inter-sectoral competition should not be conducted through mutual accusations in the public domain, but rather that all stakeholders should act together in combating unregistered activities. Combating genuinely illegal (“pirate”) operations is a shared responsibility of all parties involved.

However, labeling all registered and legally operating enterprises holding valid authorization certificates as “illegal” through a generalized approach is neither legally appropriate nor conducive to inter-sectoral cooperation.

As TÜRSAB, we will continue to support all stakeholders in the tourism sector operating on a lawful basis, within fair competition conditions, and in accordance with the rules set by public authorities.

Respectfully submitted for your information.

Association of Turkish Travel Agencies
TÜRSAB