start a hotel business in dubai

How to start a hotel business in Dubai

Tourism is at the top of the list when it comes to Dubai’s diversified commercial sector. Several corporate giants, industries and organizations invest in Dubai hotel industries or Dubai’s tourism, because of the variety of futuristic projects and iconic landscapes.

As per the reports, with increasing number of magnets wanting to capitalize on hotel business in Dubai, early 2017 saw a supply growth of 5.6 percent in the hotel sector. Moreover, with the city continually investing in tourism infrastructure, ease in visa regulations for several countries and global events has made the hotel business in Dubai is extremely demand.

If you are among the several investors wanting to start a hotel business in Dubai, then here are the factors and requirements you need to know:

CHECK THE VARIANCES: Dubai has specific legal and judicial requirements that are more or less similar for all businesses and industries. However, there are several variances in terms of the requirements for a hotel business in Dubai. For example – A hotel business needs to acquire a tourism license in Dubai, while most businesses need a trade license. Thus, do not simply follow the same procedures, rather check, gauge and know the variances.

APPOINT A MANAGER: Establishing a hotel business in Dubai requires a manager that has relevant qualification and approved certification, through which he/she can hold the given position. The manager plays an important role in terms of ascertaining the requirements of the hotel industry as well as will also aid through the process of initial approval and licensing for the hotel business in Dubai.   

GET THE INITIAL APPROVAL: After you know the provisions, as well as the variances, get the initial approval. To acquire an initial approval for a hotel business in Dubai you would require:

  1. An application form from the DED.
  2. Passport copy and IDs of the applicants.
  3. Location blueprints, plot maps and ‘building completion certificate’ for the hotel property.
  4. Classification card for the hotel business.
  5. Passport copy of the Manager with educational certification and experience letters.
  6. DTCM (Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing) approved ‘certificate of good conduct.’
  7. Approval from the Dubai general police headquarters.

GET THE LICENSE: A tourism license in Dubai is required for a hotel business. To get a license a list of paperwork and approvals are needed, a gist of them are as follows;

  1. Fee receipt of the initial approval
  2. Trade name certificated and related payment receipts
  3. ‘No objection certificate’ in case of an international group or brand of hotels
  4. Minimum three months of tenancy contract approved by the landlord
  5. Ejari certification for the hotel property
  6. Documents required for the initial approval and pertinent certifications
  7. Consent from the Dubai Municipality and related judicial bodies for sanitation, waste management, public health, etc.

PRINT THE LICENSE: The DTMC offers e-services through which you can print the license or collect it at the counter, to make things easier you can also appoint a business setup service provider, who would do the needful for you. Ultimately, to get you tourism license in Dubai you need all the information and documents at hand mentioned above with the receipts made for the permissions and the license fee. Once verified, the applicant can collect the licensee from DTMC.

Still clueless where to start from? Call Shuraa Business Setup and we will take care of all your requirements related to starting a hotel business in Dubai or anywhere in UAE.

5 Comments
  • Hassan Shaikh
    Posted at 18:56h, 20 February

    Hi Guys,

    I would like to get some basic information on the setup cost of a small take away restaurant in Dubai.

    I am still not sure about the location, however, it cannot be in free zones as the target market is mostly Asians. Its more of a tea/coffee and snacks.

    Diera is the preferred area. Appreciate your input.


    Best Regards,
    Hassan

    • Shuraa Business Setup
      Posted at 09:57h, 21 February

      Thank you for inquiry, Mr. Hassan. As per your query you can start a cafeteria business in Dubai mainland. Even if you are aiming to start just a takeaway restaurant in Dubai, it will be applied under Department of Economic Development DED as a cafeteria itself. You will have to go through the same process, nevertheless, it’s quite an easy process. You can pick a location of your choice and suitability in the Deira and get done the standard fit-outs within your budget. The business license, permissions, name registration including the sponsorship fee will cost around 30,000AED (approximately). To discuss your business setup prospect and offer you affordable solution suiting your needs, I would request you to please get in touch with us. Contact Shuraa Business Setup representative, send a quick inquiry or call us on +97144081900, you may also WhatsApp us on +971507775554.

  • Yusufudeen Shamsudeen
    Posted at 12:13h, 08 August

    hi i am yusuf,
    for the small Take away restarant how much space needed in order to approve the dubai municipality, as you all aware dubai shop rents are quite high, so what is the minimum sq ft dubai muncipality might approve for the kitchen with one extra table for Sale counter.

    • shuraabusinesssetup
      Posted at 12:19h, 08 August

      If you are going to be cooking in the same location then it should at least be 500 sqft. If you would like to know more about a restaurant setup or how you can get a food supply license without cooking in the location speak to our business setup consultants. Request you to please provide me your contact information so that I can help you understand the process better.