Tour Guides License

(1) License shall be issued by the prescribed authority to the tour guides in accordance with the procedure set out in the rules made under this Act. The rules shall also prescribe the educational qualification, syllabus, training and procedure for selection of the tour guides. (2) The prescribed authority shall regulate the matter as to the number of tour guide licenses to be issued in the tourist destination. (3) The tour guide licensee under sub-section (1) shall hold an identity card, which shall be displayed in the manner prescribed. (4) The prescribed authority may refuse to issue tour guide license to a person under this section if that person,- (a) is convicted of any criminal offence, within five years immediately preceding the date of his application for registration; or (b) has history or record of being a criminal; or (c) does not fall within the qualification provided under this section; and shall inform that person the reasons for such refusal (5) Every tour guide licensed under this Act shall be required to,- (a) comply with the rules made under this Act; (b) use approved route or trails to guide the tourists; and (c) be polite, hospitable, helpful and friendly to tourists or visitors. (6) Any person may, lodge a complaint in writing with the prescribed authority against any tour guide who has contravened any provisions of this Act or rules made thereunder. (7) Where the prescribed authority is satisfied that the tour guide has contravened any of the provisions of this Act, he may suspend or cancel the licence of such tour guide. (8) Any person found acting as a tour guide, without obtaining licence from the prescribed authority, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding rupees two thousand upon the matter being reported to the prescribed authority by tourist mitra or any officer of Department of Tourism. On such report, the prescribed authority shall hold enquiry and afford opportunity of hearing to the person concerned before passing orders for 1[penalty] . 1[(9) Any person who, having been previously penalised under sub-section (8), for acting as a Guide without valid license or registration or in contravention of the conditions of license or registration, continues to act as such or repeats the offense, shall be liable to further penalties and administrative sanctions to be imposed by the Prescribed Authority in such manner as may be prescribed. (a) For the first such offense, such person shall be liable to a monetary penalty as may be prescribed. The Prescribed Authority may order the suspension of their license or registration or recognition (If any previously obtained and is being misused or if they are operating despite a prior penalty for non registration), for a period which may extend to three months. (b) For the second such repeated offense, such person shall be liable to a monetary penalty, which shall be significantly higher than that for the first repeated offense, as may be prescribed and the Prescribed Authority may of their license or order the suspension registration or recognition (if any) for a period which may extend to six months. (c) For the third or any subsequent such repeated offence such person shall be liable to a monetary penalty, which shall be significantly higher than that for the second repeated offence, as may be prescribed. In addition, the Prescribed Authority shall order the cancellation or permanent revocation of any license or registration or recognition held by such person and may debar them from applying for registration for a prescribed period: Provided that, no such monetary penalty or administrative sanction shall be imposed without giving the person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard. The criteria for determining continued and repeat offenses and the appellate mechanism shall be as may be prescribed.] 1. Substituted by Act 61 of 2025 w.e.f. ...................

1. (2) The prescribed authority shall regulate the matter as to the number of tour guide licenses to be issued in the tourist destination.
2. (3) The tour guide licensee under sub-section (1) shall hold an identity card, which shall be displayed in the manner prescribed.
3. (4) The prescribed authority may refuse to issue tour guide license to a person under this section if that person,-
   • (a) is convicted of any criminal offence, within five years immediately preceding the date of his application for registration; or
   • (b) has history or record of being a criminal; or
   • (c) does not fall within the qualification provided under this section; and shall inform that person the reasons for such refusal
4. (5) Every tour guide licensed under this Act shall be required to,-
   • (a) comply with the rules made under this Act;
   • (b) use approved route or trails to guide the tourists; and
   • (c) be polite, hospitable, helpful and friendly to tourists or visitors.
5. (6) Any person may, lodge a complaint in writing with the prescribed authority against any tour guide who has contravened any provisions of this Act or rules made thereunder.
6. (7) Where the prescribed authority is satisfied that the tour guide has contravened any of the provisions of this Act, he may suspend or cancel the licence of such tour guide.
7. (8) Any person found acting as a tour guide, without obtaining licence from the prescribed authority, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding rupees two thousand upon the matter being reported to the prescribed authority by tourist mitra or any officer of Department of Tourism. On such report, the prescribed authority shall hold enquiry and afford opportunity of hearing to the person concerned before passing orders for 1[penalty] . 1[(9) Any person who, having been previously penalised under sub-section (8), for acting as a Guide without valid license or registration or in contravention of the conditions of license or registration, continues to act as such or repeats the offense, shall be liable to further penalties and administrative sanctions to be imposed by the Prescribed Authority in such manner as may be prescribed.
   • (a) For the first such offense, such person shall be liable to a monetary penalty as may be prescribed. The Prescribed Authority may order the suspension of their license or registration or recognition (If any previously obtained and is being misused or if they are operating despite a prior penalty for non registration), for a period which may extend to three months.
   • (b) For the second such repeated offense, such person shall be liable to a monetary penalty, which shall be significantly higher than that for the first repeated offense, as may be prescribed and the Prescribed Authority may of their license or order the suspension registration or recognition (if any) for a period which may extend to six months.
   • (c) For the third or any subsequent such repeated offence such person shall be liable to a monetary penalty, which shall be significantly higher than that for the second repeated offence, as may be prescribed. In addition, the Prescribed Authority shall order the cancellation or permanent revocation of any license or registration or recognition held by such person and

may debar them from applying for registration for a prescribed period:

Provided that, no such monetary penalty or administrative sanction shall be imposed without giving the person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard. The criteria for determining continued and repeat offenses and the appellate mechanism shall be as may be prescribed.]

¹ Substituted by Act 61 of 2025 w.e.f. ...................