PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT - VISA SERVICES ARE AMONG THE POWERS BY TRAVEL AGENCIES UNDER THE LAW NUMBERED 1618

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

VISA SERVICES ARE AMONG THE POWERS BY TRAVEL AGENCIES
UNDER THE LAW NUMBERED 1618

As the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), as the umbrella organization of our travel agencies, which is one of the most important elements of the tourism sector, and as a professional association in the capacity of a public institution, we have been representing the very valuable travel agencies that contribute to the national economy and national tourism at a high level with our approximately 15,000 members for more than 50 years in our country and at the international level.

While the historical, cultural and natural beauties of our country are presented to foreign guests as a tourism product by our travel agencies; holidays, travels, international fairs and congress organizations and business trips of our own citizens are planned at the highest level and prepared in all details within the scope of tours and package tours and presented to domestic and foreign tourists.

Especially in the package tour services that our Turkish citizens receive from our members during their travels abroad, Article 5 titled "Services of Travel Agencies" of the Travel Agencies Regulation issued based on the Law No. 1618 on Travel Agencies and the Association of Travel Agencies states that "The services of travel agencies are as follows: ...Provide information on issues related to tourism and required by the tourism movement, on transactions such as foreign exchange, visa, customs, etc. to which tourists are subject, and carry out visa procedures." Within the scope of the provision, visa services are also provided to assist in visa procedures that they are obliged to obtain during their travels to Schengen countries.

In addition to the pressures our members are exposed to while providing these services in our country, the injustices in the appointments of visa brokerage firms are among the most common complaints of our members. One of the most obvious examples of this situation is that the Greek Consulate in Izmir and the Greek visa brokerage agency stopped travel agencies in the Aegean region from providing visa application services on behalf of their customers about three months ago, despite the fact that they were previously accredited. While the friendly relations between the two neighboring countries in the Aegean region, in particular Greece, have been developing at a high level in terms of tourism in the islands, this decision has caused and continues to cause serious damage to the tourism of both countries.

In addition to this, it is seen that our travel agencies and their staff have been seriously discredited and a bad image has been drawn in the eyes of consumers in some posts made by visa brokers on social media accounts recently.

Travel agencies provide visa services based on their rights and authorities arising from Law No. 1618, and reminds that application centers should avoid such statements that will create the impression that our members, who act in accordance with the travel agency legislation, professional principles and legislative provisions, provide these services without authorization; We respectfully inform you that it is a legal obligation to act together with travel agencies in the development of the country's tourism and the solution of the problems experienced by our citizens during their travels abroad, that necessary measures should be taken against attempts to disable travel agencies in visa applications, otherwise, as TÜRSAB, we will take all necessary measures against any unlawfulness.

Association of Turkish Travel Agencies
TÜRSAB