Mohammed issues decree regulating tourism firms

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued - in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai - decree no 13 of 2011 regarding the e-programme for hotel and tourism establishments in the Emirate of Dubai.

The 17-article legislation is applicable to all these facilities including those licensed in the free zones and special developments clusters.

''Any establishment is not allowed to do any of tourist activities unless it enrolls itself in the e-programme and installs the necessary hardwares for operation. No establishment shall obtain a new licence or have its licence renewed if it is not subscribed to the programme whose subscription duration is matched with that of the licence. Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) shall charge an annual subscription fees of Dh3,000 from the hotel establishment and Dh1,500 from the tourism establishment,” the decree stipulates.

The decree demands the establishment to install and operate the software and upload it with data of its activities and other data required by the DTCM and Dubai Police. It should also fix a telephone line exclusively for the computer and its accessories and e-link it with Dubai Police and other concerned government entities.

The decree also defines missions of Dubai Police as preparing the programme and supervising its operation, maintenance and upgrade and its e-hook up with other government bodies.

The establishment, the decree stipulates in its 8th article, is not allowed to link the programme with any other programmes without obtaining a prior permission from the DTCM and Dubai Police.

According to the decree, which was issued on 24 April 2011, the programme shall have the following members: the DTCM, Dubai Police, Department of Economic Development, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners' Affairs, Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Dubai Media Inc., Road and Transport Authority, and Dubai Municipality. Any other government body wishing to join the programme should apply to the DTCM and Dubai Police.

“All files and data loaded on the programme are highly confidential and no employee is allowed to use them for purposes other than those originally set for,” according to article 10 of the decree. Available information and data shall only be presented to circles named by the DTCM and Dubai Police or the judiciary on a judicial order.

The decree also outlines penalties against offenders of the decree. A value of the fine of a violation may be doubled in case of its repetition within a year from the date of previous violation provided that it should not cross Dh40,000. An erring facility may also be suspended for a period not more than three months.

The director general of DTCM shall in coordination with Dubai Police issue the necessary resolutions for enforcing this decree which abrogates decree No 13 and regulation No 1 of 2002.

Any provision in any other legislation that contradicts articles of this decree shall be null and void.

The decree shall be published in the official gazette and go into force from the date of publishing.

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