Approval granted for 1,805 holiday homes

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) said yesterday 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 yesterday 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 licence, the property must meet the required quality, and health and safety standards, while also offering the necessary amenities and guest services including insurance coverage.