Tourism in Abu Dhabi-Business license requirements

Tourism in Abu Dhabi

When UAE comes to mind, most of us think that Dubai as giant in tourism. However, in the past 5 years Abu Dhabi has risen as a front runner in the race to be Middle East’s leading tourist destination with its variety of offerings.

In this post we will cover about the license requirements to run various tourist related business in Abu Dhabi.

History

Abu Dhabi Authority for Tourism and Culture has replaced the emirate’s two main tourism and culture agencies, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH). The Abu Dhabi Authority for Tourism and Culture aim to preserve, protect and manage the cultural heritage of the emirate, along with promoting tourism development. The merger will see the new authority regulate the tourism sector and develop policies overseeing hotels, exhibitions, and other tourism facilities.

The authority will also organize conferences and festivals. The Authority for Tourism and culture will also plan and implement programs for archaeological explorations and the establishment and development of museums.

The Abu Dhabi Authority for Tourism and Culture issues licenses and permits to Travel Offices, travel and Tourism Outlet Offices, Tours Offices, Cruisers, Tourist Restaurants, Floating Restaurants, Hotels Management and Operation, Tourism License for Hotels etc.

Travel Offices in Abu Dhabi

Establishments or companies that provide travel tickets and hotel reservations within and outside the borders of the emirate.

Requirements:

• Submission of travel/tourism license and application with ADTA along with investor’s passport copy.
• Foreign ownership is allowed up to 49%.
• Office lease contract.
• Business Plan with profile of management team (to comply with requirements of ADTA regarding experience and expertise in tourism sector).
• Trade name shall be allocated to the entity by the department of economic development.
• Bank guarantee of AED 100,000 shall be deposited within 30 days of granting the license.
• An undertaking to observe all the rules and regulations of ADTA.
• Approval from Waste Management Center.
• Licensing fees of a travel ticket sales office shall be AED 5,000.

Tours Offices in Abu Dhabi

Establishments or companies that prepare tourism and entertainment programs, transporting tourists to destinations and tourism facilities inside and outside emirates, employing tourist means of transportation.

Requirements:

Submission of tourism licence application to ADTA along with the requirements specified above and further to furnish the following

• Undertaking to engage two tourist guides licensed by the ADTA, engage licenced and experienced drivers, one tourist bus and tow light vehicles
• Frees for tours organizing offices shall be AED 2,500.

Cruisers companies in Abu Dhabi:

Any means of maritime transport and cruising, equipped to work at sea, regardless of its power or tonnage, dedicated to transport tourists within the territorial waters of the country, provided that it is licensed by the authority to be used for cruising

Requirements:

Submission of tourism licence application to ADTA along with the specified requirements and the following:

• Title document of the ship or a lease contract\feasibility study with detailed description of the services to be provided along with the activities and proposed areas.
• Approvals of competent authorities concerned with anchorage places start off, and arrival of ships according to a lease contract or a special agreement for this purpose.
• Comply with the following additional requirements:

1. All ships shall be provided with safety equipment.
2. At least three administrators shall be appointed. The number of technicians and administration staff shall correspond to the number of licensed ships.
3. All ships shall be equipped with maritime wireless radios working on global marine channels, specifically on those set for the purposes of rescue and safety if the length of the cruiser is 35 feet or more.
4. A captain and technical assistant licensed by competent authorities shall be made available.

• Cruiser licensing fees shall be AED 2,500.

Tourist Restaurant in Abu Dhabi

Any restaurant that is licensed by the authority to serve food and beverages and may provide entertainment or artistic services to tis customers within the site of the restaurant against certain charges.

Requirements:

Submission of tourism licence application to ADTA along with the specified requirements and the following:

• Food Control Certificate issued by Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority shall be submitted
• Tourist restaurant licensing fees shall be AED 2,500.

Licences for Floating Restaurants, Hotels Management and Operation, Tourism Licence for hotels, etc. are also issued by ADTA in accordance to the rules and regulations adopted from time to time.

Major Tourist Attractions in Abu Dhabi:

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• Emirates Palace Hotel
• Abu Dhabi Corniche
• Yas Marina Circuit (Formula 1)
• Manarat Al Saadiyat Galleries, Saadiyat Island
• Ferrari World, Yas Island
• Jabel Hafeet Mountain & Road
• Al Ain National Museum
• Saadiyat Beach Golf Course
• Yas Links Golf Course
• Sir Bani Yas Island Resort
• Abu Dhabi Wildlife Centre

There are many other tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi which I will cover later in separate posts.

Source: Morison Menon