The Tourist Guide Association of Nepal (TURGAN) has intensified its efforts to regulate the tourism industry by taking action against unlicensed tourist guides. On Monday, TURGAN collaborated with the tourist police to conduct inspections in Basantapur, Kathmandu, resulting in the apprehension of an individual guiding tourists without the necessary permits.
TURGAN President ThaneshwOr Devkota announced that the association has been cracking down on guides operating without permits, as well as those who have not renewed their existing licenses. “We detained one unlicensed guide and handed him over to the police,” he stated.
As part of their ongoing efforts, TURGAN and the tourist police routinely check for fake guides in various locations across the Kathmandu Valley, including Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Patan, Bhaktapur, and the Basantapur Durbar Square area. During these inspections, guides without valid permits are typically held for two hours and given warnings.
Currently, there are 4,990 licensed tourist guides across the country. Recognizing the critical role guides play in representing Nepal to foreign visitors, TURGAN has urged all guides to operate in a disciplined and respectful manner to uphold the country’s positive image.
Source: TURGAN
