Abu Dhabi introduces Dhs1,000 cap for tourism business licences

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched a new tourism business licencing initiative. This includes the revision of the fee structure for tourism business licences – capped at Dhs1,000 annually – effective January.

The revision will benefit existing licence holders who currently pay different fee amounts, depending on the level of business activity, and provide a significant boost to the sector considering the challenges it has faced over the past 18 months. It will also encourage new investors to start ventures that benefit Abu Dhabi’s leisure, culture and MICE tourism sectors.

The new business licence offers an amended fixed-fee structure, with the blanket costs covering fees payable to several Abu Dhabi Government entities, including Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi Chamber membership fees and the Certificate of Conformity issuance fee. It also covers Abu Dhabi’s regulation fees, with the amount adjustable depending on the type of business applying.

Overall, the changes represent an almost 90 per cent reduction in total licence fee costs.

We have launched a new tourism business licensing initiative to support and accelerate the growth of the emirate’s tourism industry and encourage new investors to start ventures

To learn more, visit: https://t.co/IsYVxYkj9B#InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/npE5fdeJ12

— Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (@dctabudhabi) January 11, 2022

Hamad Mohammed Saeed Alsudain, licencing and regulatory compliance director at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The new licencing fee structure is a tangible demonstration of our unwavering support of the tourism sector, and will benefit those wishing to open, continue or expand their tourism business across Abu Dhabi. Regardless of type of organisation or size, applicants can feel confident that we are partners and focused on their growth.”

The introduction of a fixed fee for all sectors offers transparency, reduces administration challenges for investors and supports the efforts of the governing departments to create a thriving business environment for the private sector, with a particular focus on small- and medium-sized businesses.