Government Businesses

Hotel Licence Transfer

Hotel operators and owners can apply for a transfer of a hotel licence where there is a change of the hotel operator or when the licensed operator has died.

Eligibility

When the hotel is ready to be transferred, the property must be inspected by the following 4 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 and Utilities.
  • A favourable report from the Royal Bahamas Police Fire Department.

Process

You can apply for a transfer of licence to operate a hotel at the following locations:

  1. Complete and submit the relevant forms along with the satisfactory Government Agency Inspection reports.
  2. At a properly constituted Hotel Licensing Board Meeting, the Application for Transfer of Licence form and relevant documents will be presented for review.
  3. The Board will exercise its power to grant, refuse or defer the application for transfer.  
  4. After the Transfer Licence expires (Licences for hotels on Nassau & Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island (except Freeport) expire on December 31 each year, while licences for Out Island hotels expire on March 31 each year), the hotel operator will be required to renew their hotel licence.

Note: Applications for a transfer of hotel licence can be submitted throughout the year.
 

  • Department: Hotel Licensing Department
  • Address: Hotel Licensing Department, Nassau, Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, P. O. Box N-3701, Nassau Court, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas
  • Fax: (242) 361-5904
  • Email: kbethel@bahamas.com
  • Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
  • Tel: +1 242 356 5216
  • Tel: +1 242 356 4231
  • Contact: Ms. Kristal Bethel - Acting Director/Chief Licensing Officer
  • Department: Hotel Licensing Unit, Grand Bahama
  • Address: Hotel Licensing Unit, 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
  • Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
  • Contac: 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
  • Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays


Application Form(s)

The following forms are necessary when applying for a transfer of hotel licence:-

  • Application for Transfer of Licence to Operate (Form VI) – to be completed in duplicate where there is a change in operator or (Form VII) – to be completed when the operator has died.
  • 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

  • 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 new document was not submitted). In addition, if a 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

Varies depending on the time of the application.

Deadline

There are no deadlines for this service.

Related Fee(s)

When applying for a transfer of licence, a fee of BS$25 is required if the applicant is not exempt from payment.

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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