Islamabad
Authorities in Pakistan’s capital have identified 64 unregistered travel operators conducting business solely through social media platforms, raising concerns over consumer fraud and financial scams.
The Department of Tourist Services, operating under the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, reported that dozens of operators were marketing tour packages online, collecting advance payments, and bypassing mandatory licensing requirements. Many lacked verifiable office addresses, landline numbers, or regulatory approval.
The department formally alerted the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Wing, citing violations of Section 6 of the Travel Agencies Act, 1976, which prohibits anyone from operating as a travel agent or tour operator without a valid license.
| S. No. | Name of Tour Operator |
|---|---|
| 1 | Real Tours and Travels |
| 2 | Tours and Travel Guide |
| 3 | Welcome Pakistan Travel Pvt. Ltd |
| 4 | Open Enterprises Travel & Tours |
| 5 | Haidery Tours |
| 6 | Safari Backpackers |
| 7 | Heaven Quester |
| 8 | North Gateways |
| 9 | Tour and Event Planners |
| 10 | North Pakistan Adventure |
| 11 | Explorestan Travel & Tours |
| 12 | Apna Tours |
| 13 | AM Trekkers & Tours |
| 14 | Nature Explorers Tours (Pvt.) Ltd |
| 15 | Lavender Travel & Tours |
| 16 | Karve |
| 17 | Beautiful Baltistan Travels & Tours |
| 18 | Heaven Quarter |
| 19 | Niazli Treks and Tours |
| 20 | Sastatrip.pk |
| 21 | Skyline Holidays (SMC-Pvt) Ltd |
| 22 | Pak Travel and Tours |
| 23 | Future Travel & Tours |
| 24 | Pack & Go Travels |
| 25 | Innovative Travels and Tours |
| 26 | Travelcations.pk |
| 27 | Global Adventures |
| 28 | Safari Tours & Trekkers |
| 29 | Ultra Adventure Club |
| 30 | North X-Travel & Tours |
| 31 | Rare Adventure’s |
| 32 | Airian Adventure |
| 33 | Elegant Planners |
| 34 | Musafir.pk |
| 35 | Speedy Adventure Club |
| 36 | Backpack Adventure |
| 37 | Flypro Travels and Tours |
| 38 | Aa Abbasi Travel and Tour (Tripplan.pk) |
| 39 | Lexus Tours & Adventure |
| 40 | Trips Pakistan |
| 41 | SSC Travel & Tours |
| 42 | Global Access Travel & Tours |
| 43 | Aliyan Travels and Tours |
| 44 | Aleen Travel and Tours |
| 45 | Kalyal International Travel & Tours |
| 46 | Cruise Air Travel & Tours |
| 47 | Tirmizi Travel & Tours (Pvt.) Ltd |
| 48 | Easy Journey Travel & Tours |
| 49 | Nashah Travels |
| 50 | Islamabad Tours |
| 51 | Butt Tour Organizer |
| 52 | Rashid Tours & Travels |
| 53 | JJ Travels & Tours Pakistan |
| 54 | The Ali Air Travel & Tours |
| 55 | Mun International |
| 56 | Karve Adventures |
| 57 | Safari Backpack Adventure |
| 58 | Global Adventures Pakistan |
| 59 | North Pakistan Treks |
| 60 | Explorer’s Hub Travel |
| 61 | Sky Trails Pakistan |
| 62 | Alpine Escape Tours |
| 63 | Karve Travel Services |
| 64 | Global Adventure Club |
Reminders sent in May and July 2024 failed to curb the practice, prompting authorities to take stronger action as operators increasingly shifted to digital platforms. Social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and Google were the main channels for advertisements.
A Dawn TV-verified list of unlicensed operators includes names such as Real Tours and Travels, Tours and Travel Guide, Welcome Pakistan Travel Pvt Ltd, Safari Backpackers, North Gateways, Skyline Holidays, Musafir.pk, and Aleen Travel and Tours, among others. Authorities have provided enforcement agencies with full contact details and social media links.
Officials warned that unlicensed operations put consumers at risk of financial fraud, fake bookings, and cancelled trips without refunds. The growing domestic travel sector, which sees tens of millions of trips annually, has created opportunities for both legitimate businesses and illicit operators.
The FIA has been asked to initiate cybercrime proceedings, block social media pages, trace financial transactions, and pursue legal action against offenders. Coordination with social media platforms may also be sought to restrict illegal advertisements.
Consumers are urged to verify travel agents through official registration records before making payments, and avoid deals offered exclusively on social media without credible credentials.
The Department of Tourist Services confirmed it will continue intelligence sharing with enforcement agencies to curb illegal online travel operations and protect Pakistan’s burgeoning tourism sector.
