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The Tourism Business in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

Michael Decker
Michael Decker

With tens of millions of tourists every year, the opening of the tourism business in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates is likely to be a worthwhile investment for quite a few Israelis. The peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates is anticipated to lead to the opening of several businesses in the field, and our office has already received enquiries from people interested in the matter. Accordingly, in this article we have prepared an explanation by an attorney who is an expert in emigration law about the opening of the tourism business in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

The attorneys from our law firm in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, specialize in commercial law and emigration law. The firm provides a comprehensive legal solution for Israeli and international clients and assists in the registration and formation of companies in the United Arab Emirates and in other places all over the world, legal advice for businesses and companies, representation before the various authorities etc.

DUBAI AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AS A LEADING TOURIST DESTINATION

Dubai and the United Arab Emirates rightfully constitute an attractive tourism destination. The United Arab Emirates attracts several million visitors from all over the world. Every year around 16 million tourists visit Dubai alone. These are fascinating places for tourists, in view of the unique architecture, the large number of shopping centers and places of entertainment, the many tourist attractions (including artificial islands and the highest tower in the world) etc.

Even now, during the Corona period, where the majority of countries in the world are very restrictive about who they let in, Dubai and the Emirates have imposed relatively moderate restrictions that allow most of the tourism businesses to continue to operate, as at the date of writing this article. Accordingly, the United Arab Emirates will certainly constitute a significant tourist focal point for Israelis who have been longing to go there for several years.

WHAT TOURISM BUSINESSES ARE RELEVANT TO ISRAELI BUSINESS PEOPLE?

Tourism business in DubaiBeing a very rich country, both from the economic aspect and from the tourism aspect, there are numerous touristic attractions in the United Arab Emirates and Dubai. A wide variety of tourism attractions may be found there, including restaurants and bars, hotels and resorts, beaches, routes for organized tours etc. Accordingly, it is possible to think of a very wide variety of tourism activities where Israeli developers and businesses can integrate and operate.

It is important to know that the United Arab Emirates is very amenable to the existence of business activity within its borders, and encourages the entry of foreign investors and business people. This is borne out by the fact that 88% of the residents of the UAE are foreign citizens coming from a variety of countries worldwide, mostly for business purposes. This lenient policy includes an exemption from Income Tax for individuals, low V.A.T. and a speedy and relatively simple procedure for obtaining a business licence and a work visa. This in itself is anticipated to encourage the entry of Israeli business people into the tourism business in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPENING TOURISM BUSINESSES IN DUBAI AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES?

The procedure for opening tourism businesses in the United Arab Emirates is not all that complex, but requires some knowledge of the local law. An application for a work visa and a specific business licence in the field of tourism (tourism license) should be filed.  This licence is relevant for the majority of tourism businesses in Dubai and the Emirates (tour guiding, hotel construction, resorts etc.).

The application for a licence is dealt with by the Tourism, Commerce and Marketing Department (DTCM). The application filed with the Department should contain several accompanying documents, including a copy of a passport, a document attesting to absence of a criminal past of the company owner (which in Dubai is called a Non-Objection Certificate) and an explanatory letter setting out in detail the feasibility of the proposed project.  Our office assists Israelis wishing to set up businesses in Dubai, and deals with the matter vis-a-vis the various authorities, in conjunction with the leading company in the field.

It is worthwhile knowing that the Government of the United Arab Emirates endeavours to specifically facilitate the opening of a tourism business. Accordingly, recently several requirements for the purpose of obtaining a licence in the field have been lifted.  For example, generally it will not be required to lodge a bank guarantee for the purpose of obtaining the licence.  The requirement for the leasing/purchase of a minimum physical area for the purpose of building most of the types of businesses has also been lifted.

CONTACT THE ATTORNEY SPECIALIZING IN EMIGRATION LAW AND THE FORMATION OF TOURISM BUSINESSES IN DUBAI AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

In this article we have explained in brief about the formation of tourism businesses in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.  When dealing with this matter it is recommended that you consult an attorney specializing in emigration laws who can assist you in handling the procedure in the matter.  For any question or consultation for the purpose of setting up a business in the field of tourism in Dubai, you can contact us and we will be happy to assist. Our law firm specializes in emigration law and commercial law, and assists Israelis wishing to set up and do business in the United Arab Emirates, in a variety of fields.

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