Chapter IV Travel Agents

(1) No person shall carry on the business of a travel agent unless he is registered in accordance with the provisions of this Act. (2) Every person intending to act as a travel agent shall, before he commences to act as such, apply for registration to the prescribed authority in the prescribed manner. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub section (2), any person already engaged in the business as a travel agent, shall apply for registration within three months from the date of commencement of this Act. (4) Every application made under sub-section (2) shall be disposed off within a period of three months from the date of receipt of the application failing which the application shall be deemed to have been accepted for registration.

The prescribed authority shall, unless registration is refused under section 16, direct that the name and particulars of the travel agent be entered in the register maintained for the purpose and issue a certificate to the travel agent in the prescribed form.

(1) The prescribed authority may refuse to register a travel agent under this Act on any of the following grounds, namely:

(a) if he does not possess any of the prescribed qualifications; (b) if he has been convicted of any offence under Chapters XIV and XVI of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 or under any of the provisions of this Act or of any offence punishable under any law providing for the prevention of hoarding, smuggling or profiteering or adulteration of food or drugs or corruption and two years have not elapsed since the termination of the sentence imposed upon him; (c) if he has been declared an insolvent by a Court of competent jurisdiction and has not been discharged; (d) if his name has been removed from the register under clause (c) or clause (d) of section 17 and three months have not elapsed from the date of removal; (e) if in the opinion of the prescribed authority there is sufficient ground, to be recorded in writing, for refusing registration. (2) No application for registration shall be refused unless the person applying for registration has been afforded a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

(1) The prescribed authority may, after giving an opportunity of being heard, by an order in writing, remove the name of a travel agent, from the register and cancel his certificate on any of the following grounds namely:

(a) if he ceases to act as a travel agent; (b) if he is convicted of any offence under Chapters XIV and XVI of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 or Under any of the provisions of this Act or of any offence punishable under any law providing for the prevention of hoarding, smuggling or profiteering or adulteration of food or drugs or corruption; (c) if he is declared an insolvent by a Court of competent jurisdiction and has not been discharged; (d) if any complaint of malpractice is received and proved against him. (2) Any travel agent whose name is removed from the register under sub-section (1) shall forthwith cease to be a travel agent.

The prescribed authority may, by a notification in the Official Gazette, fix the reasonable maximum rates which may be charged by a travel agent for the service rendered by him to a person engaging him as such.

No travel agent shall demand any tip, gratuity, presents or commission other than that permissible under this Act from any persons engaging him or from any dealer selling notified article to any person or from any hotel-keeper in whose hotel such person resides or intends to reside.