The Law no. 8 of 2022 (the “law”) which entered into force on 7th of March, 2022, is aiming to regulate Hotels and Tourism Establishments and to replace its predecessor, law No. 1 of 1973. It is also setting out the licensing and regulatory requirements for hotel and tourism establishments.
The law is issued to address the entities that carry out hotel and tourism activities which are explicitly defined in the pre-mentioned law under article 1 as the following:
1. Hotel Establishments: is interpreted as any premises that provide residence to Egyptian and foreign guests such as: hotels, tourist villages, floating heritage or boutique hotels, safari or ordinary camps, hotel apartments or units and any other establishments determined by the competent ministerial decrees.
2. Tourism Establishments: is interpreted as any premises equipped originally to host Egyptian and foreigners in order to provide them food on-site or takeaway such as: restaurants, fast-food or truck restaurants, floating restaurants whether fixed or mobile, cafeterias, discos, night clubs, all types of transportation provided for tourism, tourism trips whether land, Nile or sea, souvenir shops, diving and safari centers, gyms and spas that are located within the hotel or tourism establishments; and any other establishments determined by the competent ministerial decrees.
The Law stipulates that The Prime Minister should issue the Executive Regulation of the Law within six months from the date of its entry into force and meanwhile, all previously granted licenses shall remain effective. Once the Executive Regulation is issued, Hotels and Tourism Establishments shall be required to comply with its provisions.
The Law sets out essential compliance requirements that include, inter alia:
- Article 21 requires that Hotels and Tourism Establishments install CCTV Cameras both outside and inside the establishment. And to adhere to all the security measures provided by the competent minister.
- Article 22 requires that Hotels and Tourism Establishments provide a list of their guests on a monthly basis, specifically on the first week of each month, to the competent ministry.
Written by
Ahmed Salah - Junior Associate
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