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DTCM Tourism Dirham Fee Guide for Hotels and Holiday Homes

In Dubai's vibrant tourism industry, there are specific guidelines set in place for business owners, especially those in the hospitality sector. Apart from Dubai tourism taxes and Fees, one crucial aspect that needs to be understood thoroughly is the Tourism Dirham Fee. This post aims to serve as a comprehensive guide on the DTCM Tourism Dirham Fee for both hotels and holiday homes, covering the who, when, how, and why of this significant levy.

Understanding the Tourism Dirham Fee

The 'Tourism Dirham Fee' is a fee collected by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) on all overnight stays in hotels and holiday homes in Dubai. It is calculated per room per night of occupancy and is capped at a maximum of 30 consecutive nights.

How Much is the Tourism Dirham Fee?

The rate of the Tourism Dirham Fee depends on the classification of your property. Here's a breakdown of the charges:

  • Luxury Holiday Home: AED 15 per room per night.
  • Tourist Holiday Home: AED 10 per room per night.
  • Five-star hotels: AED 20 per room per night.
  • Four-star hotels: AED 15 per room per night.
  • Three-star hotels: AED 10 per room per night.
  • One-star/budget hotels: AED 7 per room per night.

These charges need to be collected from guests at the time of check-in. For stays extending over 30 consecutive nights, the Tourism Dirham Fee is charged only for the initial 30 nights.

When to Pay the Tourism Dirham Fee to the DTCM?

The DTCM requires businesses to pay the collected Tourism Dirham Fees before the 16th of every month. This payment is made via the Tourism Dirham e-System, a digital platform designed to streamline the process.

How to Pay the Tourism Dirham Fee?

Payments to the DTCM are made through the Tourism Dirham e-System via direct check deposit or bank transfer to the department's bank account:

  • Bank name: Emirates NBD (any branch)
  • Account name: DTCM-Tourism Dirham
  • (IBAN) No: AE450260001012049366501

After completing the transfer, you'll need to confirm the update of the e-tourism dirham system when a confirmation screen appears. Always provide your company's commercial license number when making the payment.

Penalties for Failure to Pay

Failure to adhere to the stipulated guidelines for the payment of Tourism Dirham Fees can attract hefty fines. Specifically, providing inaccurate documents, incomplete information, or manipulating accounts relating to the Tourism Dirham Fee can lead to a penalty of up to AED 15,000.

As a business owner in Dubai's tourism sector, understanding the ins and outs of the Tourism Dirham Fee is crucial for smooth operations for your holiday home business. Whether you're operating a five-star hotel or a cozy holiday home, having comprehensive knowledge about this levy and its regulations will ensure you're always in compliance with DTCM's guidelines.