Department of Tourism Regulations Urges Property Owners to Register by September 2024 to Avoid Fines
The Department of Tourism Regulations (DTR) urges all property owners and managers operating without an accommodation license, to apply for the 2024 licensing period and get registered. With the implementation of the 2023 Tourism Regulations Ordinance and new requirements, all short-term rental properties need an accommodation license and are now being asked to register.
Anyone who fails to do so risks fines of up to $50,000. The Department of Tourism Regulations will begin disseminating written warnings to anyone found to be in breach of the Ordinance as of September 2024. DTR has collaborated with the Revenue and Business Licensing Department to create a database that identifies and tracks unlicensed properties. These properties are valuable tourism products placed, in DTR’s care by TCIG to ensure that quality standards are upheld.
Accommodations have been a primary focus this financial year, with 91% of hotels already certified. By comparison, only 28% of short-term properties are registered, and the department is working to bridge this gap, spread awareness and ensure compliance to avoid fines.
The registration process is now quicker and simpler with our new online form. Owners and managers can have a property DTR-certified by scanning the QR code, filling out the registration form, and emailing the required documentation. This is just the first step in streamlining our processes and enabling ease of compliance. For further information or assistance with the registration process contact the Department of Tourism Regulations via email at
OFFENCES IN TOURISM REGULATIONS AND LICENSING ORDINANCE
|
|
SECTION |
DESCRIPTION OF OFFENCE |
CONVICTION TYPE |
|
1 |
11 (3) |
Operating premises providing accommodation without a license |
Up to $50,000 |
|
2 |
23 (2) |
Offering tourism services outside the terms of a license |
$2,500 |
|
3 |
45 (2) |
Failure to comply with standards |
$5,000 |
|
4 |
46 (2) |
Failure to comply with standards and license conditions |
$5,000 |
|
5 |
61 (1) |
Failure to disclose interest in Quality Assurance Consultative Committee |
$10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or to both |
|
6 |
63 (3) |
Failure to observe and preserve confidentiality |
$10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or to both |
|
7 |
71 (1) |
Operating a premises outside of terms and conditions on the license |
$500 and to a penalty of $500 for each day during which he so operates the premises |
|
8 |
71 (2) |
Offering tourism services without a license |
$500 and to a penalty of $500 for each day during which he so operates the premises |
|
9 |
71 (3) |
Failure to comply with notice issued under Section 48 or 68 |
$500 and to a penalty of $100 for each day during which he so operates the premises |