Bahamas - License to Operate a Hotel

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Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. To obtain a Licence to Operate a Hotel the applicant has to submit an application Form in duplicate along with the supporting documents as mentioned in the required documents section of the Procedure and corresponding Fees, to the Hotel Licensing Department, Ministry of Tourism.
2. The Applicant can download the Form from the below link:Form Link
3. Fill the required details in the application form
4. Complete and submit the relevant forms along with the satisfactory Government Agency Inspection reports.
5. 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.
6. The Board will exercise its power to grant, refuse or defer the licence.
7. Once the Hotel Licensing Board grants licence, the Secretary to the Board will contact the applicant to issue the Hotel Licence Certificate.
   

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Required Documents

• Application Form
• 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.
  

Office Locations & Contacts

Hotel Licensing Department
Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
P. O. Box N-3701
Nassau Court
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 356-5216
Fax: (242) 361-5904

Hotel Licensing Unit, Grand Bahama
Hotel Licensing Unit
Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
Poinciana and the Mall Drive
P. O. Box F-40250
Freeport, Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Tel. (242)350-8600
Fax. (242) 352-2714

The Grand Bahama Port Authority
Grand Bahama Port Authority Corporate Headquarters
Licensing Department
The Mall Drive
P. O. Box F 42666
Freeport, Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Tel. (242)350-9054
Fax. (242)351-4169
Applicant 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.
Contact Address Details Link:Contact Link

Eligibility

Inspection report from the following four Government Agencies is required to meet the eligibility criteria:

• 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
  

The applicant must apply for a licence to operate a hotel no later than three months prior to the proposed opening date.

Fees

• 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.
• 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.
  

Validity

All licences for hotels on New Providence, Paradise Island or Grand Bahama expire each year on 31st December, irrespective of the date of issue. Licences for hotels elsewhere in the Bahama Islands expire each year on 31st March, irrespective of the date of issue.

Documents to Use

Application Form Link:Form link

Sample Documents

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Processing Time

The Processing time varies depending on when the application is made.

Related Videos

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Instructions

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e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required Information

• Hotel Location
• Hotel Address
• Telephone
• Name of Proprietor / Company
• Registered Address
• Maximum number of sleeping rooms to be operated during licence period
• Maximum number of guests who can be accommodated overnight
  

Need for the Document

It is required to operate a hotel for the first time must apply for a licence.

Information which might help

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Website Link

Others

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