Tag Archives: Holiday Homes

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has unveiled updates to its holiday homes policy, with farmhouse owners now able to obtain licenses to transform their properties into holiday homes. The update is designed to diversify accommodation offerings available in the emirate and unlock new economic advantages for farm owners. The expansion of the policy is in alignment with recent decisions by the Abu Dhabi government which facilitates farm owners to secure licenses for economic activities. DCT Abu Dhabi’s updated holiday homes policy now includes farm stays, caravans, and RVs, and allows landlords and residential unit owners to obtain more than one holiday home license for multiple units, presenting a key opportunity for investors and property management firms. HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said: “Our expansion of Abu Dhabi’s holiday homes licencing policy to allow farmhouses to offer guest accommodations will support both Abu Dhabi’s hospitality and agri-tourism sectors. As the emirate witnesses substantial tourism growth, it is imperative that we continue to offer visitors unique and sustainable experiences that reflect our rich heritage and renowned Emirati hospitality.” DCT Abu Dhabi is providing guidance to farmhouse owners seeking to register their properties, including organising sessions on navigating the licensing system and clarifying the requirements. In addition, a comprehensive guidance manual has been made available on the official DCT Abu Dhabi website. Farmhouse owners have a grace period of six months to initiate the licensing process for their properties, aimed at ensuring a seamless transition and avoiding any potential penalties. Committed to fostering diverse and enriching experiences for all visitors to the …

The Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD) has officially unveiled its latest offering, the holiday homes services, with the primary objective of invigorating the tourism sector and elevating the allure of Ajman as a premier destination for visitors. These services have been meticulously crafted under the visionary guidance of His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman. An important landmark in this endeavour is the Emiri Decree No. 6 of 2023, which heralds a significant stride by introducing comprehensive regulations to govern and supervise the operations of holiday homes throughout the emirate. The implementation of these services enables property owners and hotel management companies to avail themselves of the opportunity to lease residential units for short durations, presenting a flexible and innovative alternative to conventional contracts. Moreover, ADTD offers meticulous inspection and classification services for registered units, distinguishing between criteria for touristic and luxury accommodations. This stringent oversight guarantees that owners and operators adhere to the stipulated regulations and standards governing the operation of Holiday Homes. The overarching objective is to expand the range of lodging choices available in Ajman, thereby enriching the experience of visitors and improving the quality of life for residents and tourists alike. Overseen by ADTD, the Holiday Homes services provide clear and proactive guidelines and procedures, exceeding customer expectations and fostering an environment that expedites service completion while maximizing customer, societal, and visitor happiness. The department’s service system encompasses all the necessary information and documents to simplify and streamline these procedures, catering to customer needs through the provision of forms, notifications, and accompanying decisions. The Holiday Homes services system is aligned with the strategic objectives of …

As the number of bleisure travellers increase InterContinental Abu Dhabi has just announced an exciting new addition to the capital of the UAE with the launch of its brand-new residences. Boasting a prime location in the affluent neighbourhood of Al Bateen district in the capital and a stone’s throw from some of the central business and leisure facilities in Abu Dhabi, including several government buildings, Marina Mall, and Corniche Beach. Coming fully furnished with everything a guest could need, the residences will place you at the centre of the action amidst the bustling metropolis. The residences feature 130 units comprising studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments, along with a selection of accessible apartments specially designed to cater for the needs of people with determination. Each apartment is fitted out with gorgeous textures and natural oak furniture perfectly complemented by the tasteful, contemporary décor. Panoramic windows saturate the spaces with natural light and offer unparalleled views of the Marina or the city’s glittering skyline at night. Each apartment is fully equipped with only the highest quality modern amenities and devices. The 48 sqm. studios and 101 sqm one-bedroom residences are comprised of intimate spaces to unwind and switch off, and they are perfect for solo occupants or couples. More suited for larger families, the 190 sqm. two-bedroom and 217 sqm.; three-bedroom residences simply outspread comfort. Fully equipped with kitchenette, spacious balconies, walk-in wardrobes, ensuites with bathtub and standing showers, guest bathrooms, and a separate dining area, each of these exquisite options offers a healthy balance between size and luxury amidst spectacular views to the sea and city. Dani Demerjian, General Manager of InterContinental Abu Dhabi recently commented on the new residences …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has announced new updates to its holiday homes system, simplifying the process for homeowners and operators to acquire permits and convert their units into perfect holiday homes for travellers visiting Ras Al Khaimah. The updates are part of the Emirate’s efforts to continue diversifying and strengthening its existing accommodation portfolio of four- and five-star hotels and resorts and to driving a sustained tourism economy that benefits not only investors but also its communities. The holiday homes system is an electronic registration portal that enables owners and operators to register their residential units for short term rentals.  The system also provides owners and operators with services to book an inspection appointment for the registered units and provide a classification service based on standard or luxury criteria for the units via the portal, ensuring easy and seamless compliance with the regulations related to holiday rentals in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, commented: “We’re seeing a growing number of visitors booking longer stays in the Emirate to completely switch off and enjoy as much of the unique experiences the Emirate has to offer. We want to tap into this trend and have therefore updated our holiday homes rental system to make it even easier for homeowners and operators to register, organise permits for and convert their units. This is in line with our vision for a diversified tourism and hospitality sector, adding even more accommodation options to our portfolio, and enhancing liveability to benefit our communities and visitors who want to experience the high quality of life here and discover more of our stunning Emirate.” …

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) in cooperation with several government and private agencies and institutions in the emirate  has launched a regulatory framework – the Sharjah Tourism’s ‘Holiday Homes Project’ – which aims to offer an official framework of facilitation and control to Sharjah residents who wish to rent out places they own as holiday homes to tourists and visitors. According to the terms and standards approved by SCTDA as stipulated by the Holiday Homes Project, the residential units can be rented out on a rotational basis, regularly.  The project is successfully developing an official facilitation framework in line with international best practices for the operation of holiday homes, and to register them under a unified umbrella and database. The project will also empower prospective users with a new source of income recognised by the Government of Sharjah, offering them official guidance on operating requirements, classification criteria, violations and other mechanisms. His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said: “With Sharjah Tourism’s Holiday Homes project, the emirate’s aspirations to continue advancing this sector has crossed a meaningful milestone, as the initiative not only introduces an innovative new service to the tourism landscape but also puts Sharjah’s home owners at the forefront of benefiting from a drive that is poised to drive more visitors from around the world to the emirate. Through the Sharjah Tourism’s Holiday Homes Project, we seek to maximise visitor experience by ensuring high-quality classification standards and offering additional staycation options across the emirate of Sharjah. It will further strengthen cooperation between the Authority and the providers of holiday homes by developing a system of legislation and regulations. This will contribute to diversifying the …

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) announces an administrative order clarifying the law of Decree No. 41, introduced in 2013 to govern holiday home activity in Dubai. The order outlines regulations for operators, homeowners and authorised tenants, who wish to obtain a holiday home license, and has been produced in collaboration with the Supreme Legislation Committee to further diversify tourism in the emirate and boost competition through safe and transparent operations. The technical requirements, guidelines and processes will be mapped out in a detailed guide issued by Dubai Tourism, which will also provide an overview of the operations of a holiday home, how a license can be obtained and should be maintained, and the rights and liabilities of developers, operators and homeowners. Khalid Bin Touq, Executive Director, Tourism Activities and Classification Sector, Dubai Tourism commented, “Recognising this growing popularity for the Holiday Homes concept, Dubai Tourism is committed to enhancing the product offering, fuelling increased visitation, and making Dubai the world’s preferred destination in line with Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2022-25, as envisioned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. As such, this new administrative resolution will reassure the industry that we are taking steps to regulate the operation of Holiday Homes, providing a comprehensive classification and verification process and ensuring global best practices are adopted to increase competitiveness, transparency, safety and standardisation of the sector.” He added, “We remain in continuous contact with the industry to ensure the processes and requirements are clear, and as the official governing entity for the Holiday Home sector, we encourage all operators and developers to share their …