Abu Dhabi: Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) said on Monday it has approved 1,805 residential units to date as holiday homes in order to boost the emirate’s tourism sector.
The approval comes after Dubai Tourism’s decision earlier this year to allow private homeowners to apply for a holiday home permit and start leasing their properties directly to guests and tourists.
Dubai’s tourism board said the holiday home sector is seeing growth, which is driven by regulations to increase the sector’s competitiveness, and is expected to continue to grow.
In a statement on Monday, it said a total of 109 homeowners have submitted applications for a holiday home permit since the introduction of updated regulations in May. Of those, 39 have been approved, enabling them to enter the market and join the 78 approved holiday home operators already doing business in Dubai.
In order to obtain a license, homeowners must ensure their property meets the required quality, and health and safety standards, while also offering the necessary amenities and guest services including insurance coverage.
Owners must also ensure the property meets all the legislative requirements and complaint management policies; is accurately listed; and is sufficiently maintained.
“To maintain standards, Dubai Tourism regularly inspects registered homes, which are classified as either ‘standard’ or ‘deluxe’ depending on their offering. At present, 83 per cent of the more than 1,800 approved holiday homes are rated standard, and 17 per cent deluxe,” stated Khalid Bin Touq, Executive Director of Tourism Activities and Classification Sector at Dubai Tourism.
