In a significant step that marks a strong addition to Egypt’s tourism sector, Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, has issued a ministerial decree outlining the terms and regulations for licensing Holiday Home units—one of the newly introduced categories of hotel accommodation, Invest-Gate reports.

This decision has been issued in accordance with Law No. 8 of 2022 regarding hotel and tourism establishments and its executive regulations, as well as Law No. 27 of 2023 concerning the establishment of tourism chambers and the organization of their federation, according to a statement issued on April 6.

Mr. Sherif Fathy emphasized the importance of this decree and the regulatory framework it introduces. He explained that the regulations were designed to both establish a new model of tourist accommodation and regularize the status of some existing units. This, he added, would contribute to the Ministry’s objectives of ensuring the quality of tourism services provided across Egyptian destinations.

Fathy also stressed that the primary goal of these terms and conditions is to guarantee the required levels of quality, security, safety, and comfort within accommodation units, in order to ensure their readiness to receive tourists.

He further noted that the Ministry took into account the need to simplify and streamline the procedures and requirements necessary for regularizing the status of such accommodation units—which are already in operation in some tourist areas throughout Egypt—so that they may obtain a valid tourism license. The Ministry, through its Central Administration for Hotel Establishments, Shops, and Tourist Activities, will begin implementing this ministerial decree starting from the day following its publication.

For his part, Mr. Mohamed Amer, Head of the Central Administration for Hotel Establishments, Shops, and Tourist Activities at the Ministry, clarified that licensing these units requires fulfilling the necessary documentation, meeting the stipulated terms and conditions, and paying the fees prescribed under this ministerial decree.

He also noted that the owner or operator of the unit must notify the Ministry electronically, using the designated form available on the Ministry’s website. The owner is also required to complete all the necessary steps to obtain a Tourism Suitability Certificate in accordance with the Ministry’s guidelines and to pay all the legally mandated fees in this regard.

According to the decree, Holiday Home units are defined as any unit consisting of at least one room, a suite, or a villa, located within a standalone building or as part of a building, and equipped with some basic services. These units are intended to accommodate both Egyptian and foreign visitors, provided they are located in a designated tourist area or within a distinguished residential complex.