A temporary hotel licence allows hotel operators whose hotels have not fully complied with all regulations, but can function at an acceptable level and pose no danger to occupants of the hotel, to operate. Note: This also applies to first time hotels and those that have been closed for one year or more and wish to re-open with a minimum of four bedrooms pending completion of the remainder of the hotel.

Eligibility

To apply for a temporary licence to operate a hotel, 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

In order to apply for a temporary 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 temporary 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 Island Hotels
• During January to March for Family Island hotels

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

Local Government Administrators Offices for Family Island Districts

Application Form(s)

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

• Application for Temporary Licence to Operate (Form II) – 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

• A valid Business License.
• Copy of Contract/Agreement for the servicing of fire equipment by a company approved by the Ministry of Works and Utilities.

Turn-around time

Varies depending on time of application.

Deadline

You must apply for a temporary licence to operate a hotel no later than three months prior to the proposed opening/re-opening date.

Related Fee(s)

When applying for a Temporary Hotel Licence, a fee of BS$30.00 is required.  The full hotel licence fee, where applicable, is to be submitted when the Temporary Hotel Licence expires and application is made for the annual hotel licence.

For more information please contact

Tourism Today website
Or  
The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Offices, Family Islands