Tourist Accommodation Start-up Advice

Owning and running your own tourist accommodation business can be very rewarding but there are many things you should consider before starting. The following information is designed to give you an insight into starting a tourist accommodation business and to make you aware of the important legal obligations you must adhere to in operating a tourist accommodation premises in Northern Ireland.

Firstly there are a number of very important legal considerations in relation to becoming a tourist accommodation provider and you must comply with all relevant legislation, in particular the Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992. This stipulates that all tourist accommodation providers must receive certification from NITB before they are allowed to begin operating. It is illegal to offer tourist accommodation in Northern Ireland without a certificate from NITB.

Starting any business can be difficult. The following documents provide advice and guidance on the requirements for starting a tourist accommodation business.  If after reading this information you decide you would like to proceed you can access the relevant application forms at www.nitb.com/forms

• Accommodation Start-up Packs
• Additional Statutory Requirements
• Certification Process for new Applicants
• Application Forms
• WorldHost Customer Service Programme

NITB has developed a series of comprehensive start-up guides for the eight different tourist accommodation categories that are certified by NITB. 

• Bed & Breakfast Startup Guide (PDF).
• Bunk-House Startup Guide (PDF).
• Campus Accommodation Startup Guide (PDF).
• Guest Accommodation Startup Guide (PDF).
• Guest House Accommodation Startup Guide (PDF).
• Hostel Accommodation Startup Guide (PDF).
• Hotel Startup Guide (PDF).
• Self Catering Accommodation Startup Guide (PDF).

In order to become a certified tourist accommodation provider there are important legal aspects you have to consider.  You should have applied for and been granted appropriate fire compliance documentation, environmental health clearance may be required from your local council and where necessary planning permission will be needed from your local planning office.  Also were appropriate, if your premises has a private water supply it must be registered with the Northern Ireland Drinking Water Inspectorate.

For more information on these requirements please see Operational Legislation or visit the following websites:

    
• Fire compliance: www.nifrs.org
• Local Councils: www.direct.gov.uk
• Divisional Planning Offices: www.planningni.gov.uk
• Private Water Supplies: www.ni-environment.gov.uk/private_water.htm

Certification Application Form

Application Form for Statutory Inspection to allocate a statutory category  

Further Information

For more information on statutory inspections, fees and schedules, and tourist accommodation categories please see Tourist Accommodation Certification.