İŞAD urges enforcement of existing tourism law requiring licensed guides in Northern Cyprus

The Turkish Businessmen Association (İŞAD) and its Tourism Development Board issued a written statement demanding that the current law, in force since 2004, be applied to all tourist vehicles entering the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus from the Republic of Cyprus. The law obliges each vehicle to have a licensed Turkish guide, affiliated with the Turkish Guides Union and organized by an authorized travel agency. İŞAD says the regulation has not been effectively enforced, creating unfair competition and allowing one‑sided narratives about Northern Cyprus to be presented to visitors. The association stresses that no new legislation is needed, only a formal instruction from the Tourism Ministry to border staff and police to enforce the existing rule. Proper implementation would curb informal employment, protect travel agencies and guides, improve service quality, and ensure balanced cultural information for international tourists.