Where and how to show your TÜRSAB licence number
The licence number is the shortest proof that a tour company is genuine and authorised. In some places it is required by regulation; in others it is added purely for trust. It's worth telling the two apart and writing the number the same way everywhere.
Where the regulation explicitly requires it
Online sales channels
Under Article 17(3) of Türkiye's Travel Agencies Regulation, agencies must show their licence number and travel agency name on the first page of their online sales channels and at the bottom of other pages. Your website's home page and the footer of every page should carry your licence number and agency name.
Package tour and tour contracts
Under Article 44(3) of the same regulation, package tour and tour contracts given to customers must state the licence number, the travel agency and trade name, and the address. If the product belongs to another agency, that agency must be named clearly in the contract.
Where it's recommended for trust
- Instagram bio: if you sell through Instagram, your profile is a sales channel too, and the bio works like its first page.
- WhatsApp Business profile description: anyone who starts a chat sees the number when they tap your profile.
- Facebook page "About" section
- Greeting message and quotes: a "[Company name] · TÜRSAB [licence no]" line builds trust.
- PDF itineraries, brochures and email signatures
How to write it
Use the same format on every channel. If your brand name and your agency's registered name differ, write both:
In tight spaces such as the Instagram bio, the short form is enough:
How can customers verify it?
Customers can check whether an agency is registered on the agency search page of TÜRSAB's official website, or on the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's agency lookup. TÜRSAB also offers member agencies a Digital Verification System: approved agencies receive a verification logo carrying their licence number to place on their website.
Note: there are unofficial lookup sites online that use TÜRSAB's name. When you share links with customers, only use addresses ending in tursab.org.tr or kultur.gov.tr.
Checklist
- Does your website's home page show the licence number and agency name?
- Do the footers of other pages show them?
- Do your contracts state the licence number, name and address?
- Is the number in your Instagram bio and WhatsApp profile?
- Is it written the same way everywhere?
Sources: Travel Agencies Regulation, articles 17(3) and 44(3) (TÜRSAB, in Turkish) · TÜRSAB Digital Verification System (in Turkish)
This article is for information only and is not legal advice. Check current requirements with TÜRSAB and the Ministry.