All-Inclusive Tour Packages: Transport, Hotel & Tours

What makes a tour package trustworthy and legal?

In Turkey, tourism activity is regulated under Travel Agencies Law No. 1618, which requires any entity operating as a travel agency to hold an operating license from Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and to be a registered member of the Union of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB). Specifically, organizing and selling an all-inclusive tour package that bundles transport, hotel, and tours into a single program is a "trip organizing" activity that requires a Group A (A Grubu) license issued by TÜRSAB — the only body legally authorized to carry out this type of organization.

This legal framework goes beyond licensing alone. Under the package travel contract regulation issued by Turkey's Ministry of Trade, a licensed agency bears full responsibility for any breach in delivering the package as agreed, even if the failure originates with an independent service provider the agency contracted with (such as a hotel, transport company, or guide). Agencies that are TÜRSAB members are also required to hold mandatory liability insurance covering potential damages arising from package tour activities, alongside the consumer's right to cancel the contract and receive a refund within the period set out in the regulation.

Important points to know

When a tour package is sold through an unlicensed entity not registered with TÜRSAB — such as a social media page or an unofficial intermediary — this legal protection effectively does not apply to the traveler. The absence of a license means the absence of mandatory insurance and the absence of a clear official party legally accountable if one element of the program fails or isn't delivered as promised.

• Verifying the TÜRSAB membership number and license category (A Grubu) is the clearest indicator of an organizing entity's legitimacy
• A licensed agency is legally responsible for the entire program, not just the initial booking
• Mandatory insurance and the right to cancel and receive a refund are directly tied to the existence of a license, not to verbal promises

Frequently asked questions

How do I know that the entity organizing my tour package is actually licensed? A licensed entity holds an operating license issued by Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and an active Group A membership with TÜRSAB — the only category legally authorized to organize programs combining transport, hotel, and tours into one package.

What happens if something goes wrong with one element of the package, such as the hotel or transport? Under Turkey's package travel contract regulation, the licensed agency remains legally responsible for all damages resulting from any breach, even if caused by an independent service provider it contracted with rather than the traveler directly.

Is insurance mandatory for tour package agencies in Turkey? Yes, agencies that are TÜRSAB members are legally required to carry liability insurance covering damages arising from organizing package tours — protection that isn't available when dealing with unlicensed entities.

Last updated: 2026-09-17