A temporary hotel licence allows hotel operators whose hotels have not fully complied with all regulations, but can function at an acceptable level and pose no danger to occupants of the hotel, to operate. Note: This also applies to first time hotels and those that have been closed for one year or more and wish to re-open with a minimum of four bedrooms pending completion of the remainder of the hotel.

To apply for a temporary licence to operate a hotel, the property must be inspected by the following 4 Government Agencies:

• Hotel Licensing Department, Ministry of Tourism
• Department of Environmental Health Services, Ministry of Health
• Buildings Control Division, Ministry of Works and Utilities               
• Royal Bahamas Police Force Fire Department

and the following documents must be secured:

• A favourable report from the Hotel Licensing Inspector, Ministry of Tourism.
• A Certificate of Sanitation from the Department of Environmental Health Services.
• An Occupancy Certificate and a favourable report from the Buildings Control Division, Ministry of Works and Utilities.
• A favourable report from the Royal Bahamas Police Fire Department.

In order to apply for a temporary licence to operate a hotel you must perform the following steps:

1. Complete and submit the relevant forms along with the satisfactory Government Agency Inspection reports.
2. After submission, the Secretary to the Board will make arrangements for a Hotel Licensing Board Meeting, at which your application documents will be presented for review.  
3. The Board will exercise its power to grant, refuse or defer the licence.
   
4. Should the Hotel Licensing Board grant a temporary licence, the Secretary to the Board will contact you to issue the Hotel Licence Certificate.

Note: Applications are processed during the following time periods:

• During  September to December  for Nassau, Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island Hotels
• During January to March for Family Island hotels

 

You can apply for a temporary licence to operate a hotel at the following locations:

Hotel Licensing Department, Nassau
Hotel Licensing Department
Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
P. O. Box N-3701
Nassau Court
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 356-5216
Fax: (242) 361-5904
Contact: Ms. Kristal Bethel - Acting Director/Chief Licensing Officer
E-mail: kbethel@bahamas.com

Hotel Licensing Unit, Grand Bahama
Hotel Licensing Unit
Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
Poinciana and the Mall Drive
P. O. Box F-40250
Freeport, Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Tel. (242)350-8600
Fax. (242) 352-2714
Contact: Ms. Victoria Russell - Executive
E-mail: vrussell@bahamas.com 

The Grand Bahama Port Authority
Grand Bahama Port Authority Corporate Headquarters
Licensing Department
The Mall Drive
P. O. Box F 42666
Freeport, Grand Bahama Island
Tel. (242)350-9054
Fax. (242)351-4169

Local Government Administrators Offices for Family Island Districts

 

The following forms are necessary when applying for a first-time licence:     

• Application for Temporary Licence to Operate (Form II) – to be completed in duplicate.
• Form IB - Requires particulars on the hotel e.g. name of hotel, name of manager, address, total number of bedrooms etc.
• Part 1 Hotel Winter Rates Return (Form X1)
• Part 11 Hotel Summer Rates Return (Form X1)

These forms can all be accessed online at the Ministry of Tourism website.

 

• A valid Business License.
• Copy of Contract/Agreement for the servicing of fire equipment by a company approved by the Ministry of Works and Utilities.

Varies depending on time of application. You must apply for a temporary licence to operate a hotel no later than three months prior to the proposed opening/re-opening date.

When applying for a Temporary Hotel Licence, a fee of BS$30.00 is required.  The full hotel licence fee, where applicable, is to be submitted when the Temporary Hotel Licence expires and application is made for the annual hotel licence.

Tourism Today website

Or  

The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Offices, Family Islands

ABACO
Ms. Dushinka Roberts, Tourism Inspector
Tel. (242) 367-3067
Fax. (242) 367-3068
E-mail:  droberts@bahamas.com 

Ms. Melinda Williams, Tourism Inspector
Tel. (242) 367-3067
Fax. (242) 367-3068
E-mail: mwilliams@bahamas.com 

ANDROS (North/Central)
Mrs. Donna McQueen-Stubbs
Tel. (242) 368-2286
Fax. (242) 368-2285
E-mail: dmcqueen@bahamas.com 
          
ANDROS (South)
Ms. Sharon Henfield
Tel. (242) 369-1688
Fax. (242) 369-1687
E-mail:  shenfield@bahamas.com 

BERRY ISLANDS (Great Harbour Cay)
Mr. Kevin Wallace, Tourism Representative
Tel. (242) 367-8291 Adm. Office
Cell. (242) 451-0404
Cell. (242) 464-4877
Fax. (242) 367-8034
E-mail: kevinwallace3mybg@yahoo.com 

BIMINI
Ms. Renee Robins, Tourism Inspector
Tel. (242) 347-3529
Fax. (242) 347-3530
E-mail:  rrobins@bahamas.com 

ELEUTHERA
Mainland
Ms. Glenda Johnson
Tel. (242) 332-2142
Fax. (242) 332-2480
E-mail:  gjohnson@bahamas.com 

ELEUTHRA (North)
Ms. June Cartwright
Tel.   (242) 333-2621
Fax.  (242) 333-2622
E-mail: jcartwright@bahamas.com   

EXUMA
Ms. Sharmaine Deveaux, Tourism Inspector
Tel: (242) 336-2457
Fax. (242) 336-2431
E-mail:  sdeveaux@bahamas.com 

DEALS, NORTH LONG ISLAND
Ms. Salena Burrows, Tourism Representative
Tel. (242) 338-8668
Fax. (242) 338-8669
E-mail:  sburrows@bahamas.com   or salenarbur@betelnet.bs  

SAN SALVADOR
Mr. Clifford Fernander, Tourism Representative
Tel. (242) 331-2676
Fax. (242) 331-2641
Cell. (242) 427-8198
E-mail:  karenfernander@hotmail.com 

GRAND BAHAMA
(Hotel Licensing)
Ms. Victoria Russell, Tourism Inspector
Tel. (242) 352-8044
Fax. (242) 352-2714
E-mail:  vrussell@bahamas.com