Government Businesses

Hotel Licence Application

Persons wishing to operate a hotel for the first time must apply for a licence. Persons wishing to operate a hotel that have been closed for one year or more, and are re-opening must also apply for a license. This applies to first time hotel owners/operators, second home owners and investors.

Eligibility

When the hotel is ready for occupancy, the property must be inspected by the following four Government Agencies:

  • Hotel Licensing Department, Ministry of Tourism
  • Department of Environmental Health Services, Ministry of Health
  • Buildings Control Division, Ministry of Works and Utilities   
  • Royal Bahamas Police Force Fire Department

and the following documents must be secured:

  • A favourable report from the Hotel Licensing Inspector, Ministry of Tourism.
  • A Certificate of Sanitation from the Department of Environmental Health Services.
  • An Occupancy Certificate and a favourable report from the Buildings Control Division, Ministry of Works & Utilities.
  • A favourable report from the Royal Bahamas Police Fire Department.

Process

In order to apply for a licence to operate a hotel you must perform the following steps:

  1. Complete and submit the relevant forms along with the satisfactory Government Agency Inspection reports.
  2. After submission, the Secretary to the Board will make arrangements for a Hotel Licensing Board Meeting, at which your application documents will be presented for review.
  3. The Board will exercise its power to grant, refuse or defer the licence.
  4. Should the Hotel Licensing Board grant a licence, the Secretary to the Board will contact you to issue the Hotel Licence Certificate.

Note: Applications are processed during the following time periods:

  • During September to December for Nassau, Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Hotels
  • During January to March for Family Island hotels

You can apply for a licence to operate a hotel at the following locations, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays:
 

  • Department: Hotel Licensing Department
  • Address: Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, P. O. Box N-3701, Nassau Court, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas
  • Tel: +1 242 356 5216
  • Fax: (242) 361-5904
  • Email: kbethel@bahamas.com
  • Contact: Hotel Licence Application
Hotel Licensing Unit, Grand Bahama
  • Department: Hotel Licensing Unit
  • Address: Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, Poinciana and the Mall Drive, P. O. Box F-40250, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas
  • Tel: +1 242 350 8600
  • Fax: (242) 352-2714
  • Email: vrussell@bahamas.com
  • Contact: Ms. Victoria Russell - Executive
The Grand Bahama Port Authority
  • Address: Grand Bahama Port Authority Corporate Headquarters, Licensing Department, The Mall Drive, P. O. Box F 42666, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas
  • Tel: +1 242 350 9054
  • Fax: (242)351-4169

 

Application Form(s)

The following forms are necessary when applying for a first-time licence:

  • Application for Licence to Operate An Hotel (Form I) – to be completed in duplicate.
  • Form IB - Requires particulars on the hotel e.g. name of hotel, name of manager, address, total number of bedrooms etc.
  • Part 1 Hotel Winter Rates Return (Form X1)
  • Part 11 Hotel Summer Rates Return (Form X1)

These forms can all be accessed online at the Ministry of Tourism website.

Supporting Documents

Please note, the following documents must be submitted along with your completed forms:

  • Investments Board Approval – Applicable to Non-Bahamian entities.
  • Bahamas Exchange Control Certificate/Central Bank Approval – Applicable to Non-Bahamian entities.
  • In case of Manager(s), Work Permit or Certificate of Permanent Residence if Non-Bahamian; Proof of Citizenship if Bahamian.
  • In case of Owner(s), Proof of Nationality.
  • Proof of Nationality of Beneficial Owner(s)/Key Principal(s) only.
  • Proof of Ownership of Premises, that is, Deed of Conveyance or Lease Agreement (if not previously submitted or if change of ownership (wholly or in part) transpired and a new document was not submitted). In addition, if the hotel is company-owned, Memorandum and Articles of Association, Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Incumbency and Proof of Good Standing of company. Where a Management Company exists, provide Management Agreement.
  • Certificate of Registration (new applicant).
  • Completed Form XI – (Parts I and II), Hotel Winter/Summer Rates return.
  • Current Business Licence or, in the case of first applicant, receipt of payment of Current Business Licence.
  • Copy of Contract/agreement for the servicing of fire equipment by a company approved by the Ministry of Works.
  • Building Permit (if new property)

Turn-around time

It varies depending on when the application is made.

Deadline

You must apply for a licence to operate a hotel no later than three months prior to the proposed opening date. Note: If the Application is being made between September and December concerning a hotel on Nassau/Paradise Island, or a hotel on the Famil

Related Fee(s)

  • The hotel licence fee, as provided under section 15 (1) of the Hotels Act, is an annual fee of BS$3.00 (on par with $US), per bedroom.
  • Hotels on Nassau and Paradise Island with fewer than 10 bedrooms for the use of guests or equipped with fewer than 20 beds for such use are exempt from this fee.
  • Hotels on Grand Bahama Island (except the city of Freeport) and the Family Islands with fewer than 25 bedrooms or equipped with fewer than 50 beds are also exempt from the payment of this fee.
  • License fees are paid when applying for a first time hotel licence and when submitting applications for the annual renewal of the hotel license.
  • Cheques for hotel licence fees for hotels on Nassau and Paradise Island are to be made payable to the Public Treasury and submitted to the Chief Licensing Officer, Hotel Licensing Department, Ministry of Tourism, P.O. Box N-3701, Nassau, The Bahamas.
  • Cheques for hotel licence fees for hotels on Grand Bahama Island (except Freeport) and the Family Islands are to be made payable to the Public Treasury and submitted to the Government Administrator in their District.

For more information please contact

For additional information, please visit the Tourism Today website at http://www.tourismtoday.com

Or

The Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Offices, Family Islands, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
 

ABACO
ABACO
ANDROS (North/Central)
ANDROS (South)
BERRY ISLANDS (Great Harbour Cay)
BIMINI
ELEUTHERA
ELEUTHRA (North)
EXUMA
DEALS, NORTH LONG ISLAND
SAN SALVADOR
GRAND BAHAMA

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