Based on Law No. 08/L-074 on Tourism and Administrative Instruction No. 09/2024 on the conditions, criteria and procedures for the registration and performance of the tourist guide activity, the Central Inspectorate for Market Surveillance (CIMS) is supervising the activity of tourist guides in the Republic of Kosovo.
Today, inspections are being conducted in the regions of Prizren, Prishtina and Obiliq, with the aim of preventing and detecting the illegal practice of unlicensed tourist guides.
As part of the supervision, the engagement of non-local guides by various tourist companies from countries in the region was identified, who, in cases where they operate without the required license, are violating the legal provisions in force. In addition to the legal aspect, the engagement of unlicensed persons can also affect the way in which the history, cultural heritage and real values of tourist sites visited in the Republic of Kosovo are presented.
The Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation, through CIMS, remains committed to supervising this activity and will take appropriate measures against tour operators, legal entities, individual businesses and natural persons who perform or enable the performance of the activity of a tourist guide without a license and in violation of the Tourism Law.
Performing the activity of a tourist guide in violation of legal provisions constitutes an offence and is punishable by a fine of 3,000 to 9,000 Euros.
CIMS calls on all tourist operators to engage guides legally, respecting the established criteria and procedures. Otherwise, appropriate punitive measures will be taken against entities found to be acting in violation of the law.
The Republic of Kosovo possesses significant historical, cultural and touristic values. For this reason, visitors should receive accurate, professional and reliable information about the places they visit from responsible and licensed persons.
Kosovo has licensed and professional local tourist guides. CIMS encourages tourism companies to engage licensed local guides, thereby contributing to the proper provision of information to visitors, compliance with legislation and the dignified promotion of the heritage and tourist values of the Republic of Kosovo.
