SCTDA launches ‘holiday homes’

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has launched a regulatory framework – Sharjah Tourism’s Holiday Homes Project– to diversify the sources of growth for tourism.

TT Bureau

The aim of the project, launched in cooperation with government, private agencies and institutions in Sharjah, is to offer an official framework of facilitation and control to the emirate’s residents who wish to rent out places they own as holiday homes to tourists and visitors. According to the terms and standards stipulated in the Holiday Homes Project, the residential units can be rented out on a rotational basis, regularly. The project is successfully developing an official framework in line with international practices for the operation of holiday homes, and to register them under a unified umbrella and database. The project will also empower prospective users with a new source of income recognised by the Government of Sharjah, offering them official guidance on operating requirements, classification criteria, violations and other mechanisms.

His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, said: “With Sharjah Tourism’s Holiday Homes Project, the emirate’s aspirations to continue advancing this sector has crossed a meaningful milestone, as the initiative not only introduces an innovative new service to the tourism landscape, but also puts Sharjah’s home owners at the forefront of benefiting from a drive that is poised to drive more visitors from around the world to the emirate. Through the Sharjah Tourism’s Holiday Homes Project, we seek to maximise visitor experience by ensuring high-quality classification standards and offering additional staycation options across the emirate of Sharjah. It will further strengthen cooperation between the Authority and the providers of holiday homes by developing a system of legislation and regulations. This will contribute to diversifying the sources of growth for the hospitality sector.”

According to estimates, there are currently over 300 holiday homes in Sharjah. The first year of the project will see the registration and licensing of 150 holiday homes. About 15 operating companies will be involved in the process, and the holiday homeowners will be given three months to complete the documentation process. The first phase of the project includes organising field visits and inspection campaigns, as well as electronic or digital follow-up of holiday homes, their operators, and owners. The Authority is also working on strengthening cooperation and coordination with several government agencies in Sharjah for developing regulatory procedures for holiday homes. These entities include the Department of Economic Development, Sharjah Municipality, Department of Planning and Survey in Sharjah, General Directorate of Civil Defence in Sharjah, and Sharjah Police.