A digital visiting card for travel agents, and when you can say 'approved'
A traveller about to send an advance wants to know you are real. The Ministry of Tourism runs a voluntary approval scheme, and the words you use about it matter.
Yes. The Ministry of Tourism's recognition is voluntary, so 'approved' is only true while you hold a current certificate: five years for an experienced agent, three for a start-up. An approved agent must display the certificate in the office, and the Safe and Honourable Tourism pledge prominently, including on a digital space such as a profile.
- Approval certificate copy, with validityShow it
- Safe and Honourable Tourism pledgeRequired
- Tour packages with pricesShow it
- "Approved" after it expiredLeave off
- Discount for a reviewLeave off
What the Ministry's recognition is, and how long it lasts
The Ministry of Tourism's Revised Guidelines for Recognition of Tourism Service Providers, in force from 1 January 2021, cover tour operators, travel agents and tourist transport operators. A travel agent, in its words, arranges tickets by air, rail or ship, and passports and visas, and may arrange stays and tours too. The scheme is described as voluntary.
For a new agency with no previous experience. It cannot be renewed in this category, so you apply as an experienced provider within the three years. Paid-up capital of ₹1 lakh is asked for in the rest of India.
For a provider with previous experience: one year of operation, ₹3 lakh paid-up capital and ₹20 lakh turnover in the rest of India, and staff with the qualifications set out.
Each renewal is for five years. File at least 45 days before the recognition expires, on the Ministry's portal, with the fee of ₹3,000 that the guidelines set.
These figures are from clauses 5, 7 and 12 of the guidelines, and lower amounts apply in the North East and in some union territories. The Ministry may have revised the guidelines or moved the application portal since, so check the Ministry of Tourism's site before you apply. The guidelines name etraveltradeapproval.nic.in.
Pick where you stand, and see the honest line
The wording that is safe depends on what you hold today. It runs in your browser and sends nothing anywhere.
Based on clauses 10, 12, 13 and 16 of the guidelines. This is not legal advice.
Can this go on my profile? Pick a line
Each answer comes from the Ministry of Tourism's guidelines or Google's policy, with the clause behind it. The table lists 10 items: 4 marked "Show it", 2 marked "Only if true" and 4 marked "Leave off".
The rule behind this answer: Clauses 14 and 16(vi).
| Item | Verdict | Why | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Approved by the Ministry of Tourism" | VerdictOnly if true | WhyOnly while you hold a current certificate. The scheme is voluntary, so the phrase means something specific, and the Ministry can withdraw approval. | RuleClauses 14 and 16(vi) |
| A copy of your certificate, with its validity dates | VerdictShow it | WhyYou must display it prominently in your office. A copy on the profile lets a client check it before they pay. | RuleClause 16(vii) |
| The "Safe and Honourable Tourism" pledge | VerdictShow it | WhyAn approved provider must display the pledge prominently in the front office or lobby, or on a digital space. The profile is a digital space. | RuleClause 16(i)(e) |
| The word "approved" after your recognition has expired | VerdictLeave off | WhyRecognition runs for a fixed term, five years for an experienced provider and three for a start-up. After that you are not approved until it is renewed. | RuleClause 12 |
| "Approved" as a start-up beyond its three years | VerdictLeave off | WhyStart-up recognition lasts three years and cannot be renewed as a start-up. Within that time you apply as an experienced provider. | RuleClause 12(i) |
| Your area of specialisation on an adventure tour | VerdictShow it | WhyAn adventure tour operator must show its specialisation in all promotional and display material, and have a brochure or website that describes its activities, area of operation and commitment to eco-tourism guidelines. | RuleClause 6(A)(viii) and (ix) |
| Licensed guides on a tour of a protected monument | VerdictOnly if true | WhyApproved providers must use guides authorised by the Government at monuments protected under the Ancient Monuments Act, 1958. Say so only if it is what you do. | RuleClause 16(ii) |
| The approval on a franchise or a branch under a different owner | VerdictLeave off | WhyApproval covers the head office and branches of the same name and owner. A franchise or a differently owned branch must apply under its own name. | RuleClause 16(iii) |
| A Google review button after the trip | VerdictShow it | WhyGoogle lets any business ask for reviews of a genuine experience, by link, QR or message, to every client and not only the happy ones. | RuleGoogle Maps policy |
| A discount on the next trip for a review | VerdictLeave off | WhyGoogle names discounts and free goods as incentives it does not allow in exchange for a review. | RuleGoogle Maps policy |
Packages, proof and an advance in one place
Hand your card to a family at a travel fair, and the profile opens with no app on an iPhone XS or later or any NFC Android phone. Packages, your certificate and a booking sit on one page. Trade fairs are listed in the exhibitions calendar.
Product listings
Tour packages with days, inclusions and a price, each with an enquiry button.
Photo gallery
Photographs from past trips, grouped by destination.
Enquiry form and lead capture
A traveller asks about dates and group size, and the message, number and email reach your dashboard.
Appointment booking
A booking for a planning call or an office visit. It shows as a list or a calendar.
Direct UPI payments
A button that opens the traveller's own UPI app with your UPI ID filled in, for an advance. The money goes to your bank.
WhatsApp store
Travellers pick a package and the request arrives in your WhatsApp chat. Its eight designs include one for travel.
What a travel agent pays
Packages, gallery, the enquiry form and bookings are on Basic. UPI is on Pro. The WhatsApp store is on Enterprise.
Questions from travel agents
Is Ministry of Tourism approval compulsory for a travel agent?
No. The guidelines call the scheme voluntary, and say the Ministry wants more service providers to seek approval and wants to educate customers about the risk of using unapproved ones. Because it is voluntary, the words "approved by the Ministry of Tourism" must be true and current when you use them.
How long does approval last?
For an experienced travel agent, tour operator or tourist transport operator, the initial recognition is for five years, and each renewal is for five years. A start-up ("Green Shoots") is recognised for three years, must apply in the Experienced category within that time, and cannot renew in the start-up category. Apply for renewal at least 45 days before the recognition expires.
Do I have to display my certificate?
Yes, in your office. The guidelines make it mandatory for an approved travel trade provider to display the certificate of approval, renewal or extension prominently by pasting it on a board or in a frame, so a possible tourist can see it. The profile can show a copy of it as well.
What is the "Safe and Honourable Tourism" pledge?
A pledge of commitment that an approved provider must display prominently in its front office or lobby, or on a digital space. Staff also sign it on the day they join. A line and a link on the profile is a natural way to display it digitally.
What if I run several branches?
Recognition is granted to the head office. A branch that works under the same name and the same owner needs no separate recognition, but a franchise or a branch under different ownership that uses only the brand name has to apply fresh under its own name.
Can the Ministry take approval away?
Yes. It can withdraw, terminate or revoke recognition if a provider does not work to the required standard, if serious complaints about deficiency or irregularities reach it, or if the recognition was obtained on false documents. It gives the provider a chance to explain, and can decide after 30 days without a reply.
Do clients need an app to open the profile?
No. A tap on the NFC card or a scan of the QR code opens the profile in the phone's browser.
See also: homestays and stays, event managers and what Google allows when you ask for reviews. Every profession is on the industries page.
This page explains a published Government of India guideline. It is not legal advice, and the Ministry of Tourism decides how it applies to you.
Sources
The Ministry's rules are quoted from its own guidelines, read from the Ministry's PDF on the date shown. Google's rule is from its Maps content policy.
- Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Revised Guidelines for Recognition of Tourism Service Providers by the Ministry of Tourism (Office Memorandum, 8 December 2020). Checked .
- Google, Prohibited & restricted content - Maps User Generated Content Policy. Checked .
Show the certificate, the pledge and the packages, and take the enquiry.
One tap gives a traveller your packages and proof that you are what you say, and you edit it once for every client.