Dubai is the most preferred location for holidaying in the world. The wonderful coast, favourable climate, architectural monuments, stunning modern buildings makes Dubai a perfect location for vacation purposes.

Government puts considerable effort in order to develop the tourism industry in the United Arab Emirates. Combining these factors makes the jurisdiction attractive to run a tourism business or a travel agency in Dubai.

The United Arab Emirates tourism department has a view to improve its travel sector with various types of activities a travel agency can offer to its customers. The tourism companies of Dubai choose the following activities –

• To sell plane tickets.
• They issue travel insurance.
• They sell tourist packages through the website.
• They render support during visa issuance.
• They create tourist packages and market them through several channels.
• They offer accommodation options.

To start a Travel agency in Dubai, you have to get a license. The steps will guide you in understanding how to get one.

• You have to choose the type of travel agency license.
• Must gather needed documents.
• You have to meet all the special conditions.
• Then apply and pay fees.

You have to know different types of travel agency licenses issued by the authorities before getting into the travel agency. Basically, there are 3 types of Dubai travel and tourism agency licenses. To start this agency, you have to choose one of the three licenses. The licenses are-

• The Inbound Tour Operator.
• The Outbound Tour Operator.
• Being a Travel Agent.

The Inbound Tour Operator

This organizes local incentive tours or foreign tours to attend the conferences and events. Under this license, the travel agency could handle transport, visa, and residency.

The Outbound Tour Operator

This license is given to firms that organize and sell tourist programs abroad through travels and tourism agents.

Being a Travel Agent

This includes selling air tickets to individuals on behalf of the authorized agents. The role of these offices is restricted only to seat reservation, issuing tickets in coordination with the agent as well to carry out hotel booking and car rental-related services.

On deciding the type of license you want, the next step is to gather the documents needed to get the license. They are emulated as the following:

• The filled application form given by the authorities.
• A copy of the valid passports of the applicants.
• The certificate of professional qualification. or must have the work experience certificate of the manager.
• Must clean the criminal record certificate of the owner or the certificate of good conduct of the owner.
• Study report of the economic and technical feasibility of the project.
• Get the No objection letter issued by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Besides submitting the documents, a few special conditions are followed by an individual or the company. The conditions can be:

Manager of the company should have 3 years of experience certificate when they hold a bachelor degree or (Certificate in Travel and Tourism) and 5 years experience certificate when the manager holds a secondary certificate.

When the license is to be obtained as a travel agent, one add-on document that is an approval on behalf of the Department of Civil Aviation of the Emirate is needed.

The feasibility study report should highlight the benefits of the tourism sector of the country when you are opting for an inbound or outbound tour operator.

To an inbound tour operator an irrevocable bank guarantee in the name of DTCM (the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing) issued by the bank in Dubai.

To an outbound tour operator Dh 200,000 an irrevocable bank guarantee in the name of DTCM (the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing) issued by the bank in Dubai.

The Dh 100,000 of irrevocable bank guarantee in the name of DTCM (Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing) is issued by the bank in Dubai for a travel agent activity. No need for insurance and the feasibility study report on this activity. When you take above all three activities, then total bank guarantee: Dh 400,000.

When you have taken care of all the above-mentioned documents, this leads you through the crux of the matter like ways to fill the form and submit the documents to obtain the license.

You have to submit the name of the company to the DED counter at Tas’heel Centre. Obtain the initial approval to form a company from the same department. Form could be filled at any typing centre then you need to get the signatures from all the partners and submit the form at the DED.

On initial approval, the DED will give a form for the site inspection. You have to fill the form with complete office details, attach the location map and submit the same at the DED with the final documents.

Officers inspect before issuing the license. You have to type the LLC agreement (MoA) from a legal translator and must attest from Notary Public.

When the agreement is in Arabic, the legal translator’s seal is not needed. Then all the Partners or Attorney must attend at Notary to sign the Court Agreement.

You have to make the tenancy contract ready. Then submit all the documents, make the payment at the counter and obtain your License.

When you receive the License, register it at Dubai Chamber. Then collect the registration form from there to fill the information, get the authorized signature and company stamp then submit it at the Dubai Chamber counter.

The certificate would be issued at the same time. The payment is already made at DED along with the Tourism License fees. The Dubai Chamber certificate is required for registration with several government departments and for expanding your business to other Emirates.