Sector
Establish a Tourism Business in Dubai
Tourism
What decides your price
- 01Your business activity
- 02How many visas you need
- 03Office or desk
- 1,400+companies started
- 19+ yearsin business, since 2007
- 1,000+bank accounts opened
- 10+UAE banks, named officers
- 4licensed freezone partners
- 2 officesDubai and Irvine, California
How to set up a tourism business in Dubai
Choose the tourism activity
Decide whether you run an inbound tour operator, an outbound travel agency, or a travel agent activity. Each is a distinct licence under the Department of Economy and Tourism.
Register the company and tourism licence
Register the entity and the tourism activity with DET, which regulates travel and tourism in Dubai. This is usually a mainland activity.
Secure the travel approvals
Tourism activities carry specific conditions and approvals from the regulator. We arrange the approvals your activity needs.
Set up staff visas
Sponsor your team through the establishment card and visa quota.
Open the corporate bank account
Open a business account to handle bookings and supplier payments. We handle your bank account application.
Why start a tourism business in Dubai?
Dubai is one of the world's most visited cities, with year-round events, attractions and a large inbound flow, which sustains demand for tour operators, travel agencies and destination services. Tourism is a regulated activity in Dubai, licensed and overseen by the Department of Economy and Tourism, so a properly licensed operator works with the credibility the sector expects.
Tourism licence: types and cost
A tourism business runs on a DET tourism trade licence for the specific activity, whether inbound tour operator, outbound travel agency or travel agent, each with its own conditions. Because the activity and your visa quota drive the cost, we price your exact setup rather than publish a figure that would not fit it. Get your exact quote.
Documents required
Passport copies of the shareholders and the manager
The proposed trade name and tourism activity
A tenancy contract for a physical office
Any activity-specific approvals the regulator requires
How OMC helps you establish your tourism business
We have handled UAE company formation since 2007, across more than 1,400 companies. Tourism is regulated by the Department of Economy and Tourism, so we manage the licence and the activity approvals together, and set up the establishment card and visas. We also handle your bank account application for bookings and supplier payments.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a travel agency licence in Dubai?
You register a company with the Department of Economy and Tourism for the specific travel activity, which regulates the sector, then obtain the activity approvals. OMC files the licence and arranges the approvals and visas together.
What is the difference between a tour operator and a travel agency?
An inbound tour operator packages and runs tours for visitors, while an outbound travel agency arranges travel for people leaving the UAE; each is a distinct licence activity. We advise on the right one for your plan.
Can a foreigner own a tourism company in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign investors can own a mainland tourism business. We confirm the ownership rule and the regulator's conditions for the specific activity before you file.
Is a tourism licence mainland or free zone in Dubai?
Travel and tourism serving the Dubai market is usually a mainland activity regulated by the Department of Economy and Tourism. We set it up on the mainland with the required approvals.
How long does it take to set up a tourism business in Dubai?
The trade licence is quick, but the activity approvals set the real timeline. We give you a realistic schedule once we know your specific tourism activity.
Not sure which route fits your business?
Tell us what you are planning and we will map the licence, approvals and costs for your exact activity.
OMC is a reliable and professional company in the UAE. Their team is knowledgeable, responsive, and always willing to help. The quality of their service exceeded my expectations, and the entire experience was smooth from start to finish. Highly recommended.
Tourism
What decides your price
- 01Your business activity
- 02How many visas you need
- 03Office or desk