Government Establishes 9 Comprehensive Accommodation Classifications

The Department of Tourism Regulation (DTR) has introduced a comprehensive accommodation classification system under the Tourism Regulation and Licensing Ordinance 2023, marking an important step toward strengthening tourism standards and enhancing the visitor experience across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Avi Adams, Director of the Department of Tourism Regulations

 The new framework establishes nine official classifications for tourist accommodation establishments and promotes consistency across the tourism industry, upholds quality standards, and provides greater transparency for operators, while ensuring that visitors have clear expectations about the type of accommodation they choose.

The descriptions below are provided as a general guide to assist applicants and the public in understanding each category. The exact legal definitions and wording can be found in the Legal Reference section at the end of this release.

Hotel - A property designed to provide accommodation for guests with hotel-style facilities and services. The lodging has from 15 to over 500 bedrooms.

Boutique Hotel - A smaller hotel distinguished by its unique character, personalized service, and distinctive design or atmosphere. The lodging has from 15 to 20 bedrooms.

Resort - A property offering guest accommodation together with a broad range of recreational, leisure, and hospitality amenities. The lodging has from 50 to over 500 bedrooms.

Villa - A standalone private residence or accommodation unit offered to guests for short-term stays.

Condominium Hotel - A single building or community comprised of individually owned condominium units exclusively on a self-catering basis pursuant to the Strata Titles Ordinance that operate collectively as part of a hotel establishment and managed by a property management company.

Condominium - A single building or community comprised of individually owned condominium units exclusively on a self-catering basis pursuant to the Strata Titles Ordinance. These units are usually rented out by the owner.

Guest House - A smaller accommodation establishment providing lodging, typically with fewer rooms than a hotel. Bed and Breakfast establishments also provide breakfast as part of the guest experience. The lodging has a maximum of 14 bedrooms.

Bed and Breakfast - An accommodation establishment that provides overnight lodging together with breakfast for guests. This is family-owned and run and has a maximum of 10 bedrooms.

Self-catering apartment rental - A furnished apartment or similar accommodation equipped for guests to prepare their own meals. The units are numbered and readily identifiable.

Important Information for Applicants

Applicants should note that the classification selected during the application process is provisional and is intended solely for the purpose of submitting an application. The Department of Tourism Regulations will conduct an official inspection before assigning the property's final classification. The Department reserves the authority to assign a classification that differs from the one selected by the applicant if the property's characteristics, facilities, services, or operational model more closely align with another accommodation category.

The introduction of these classifications represents another milestone in the Department's ongoing efforts to modernise tourism regulation, promote excellence in the accommodation sector, and ensure that all licensed establishments meet the standards expected of a Caribbean premier tourism destination. For more information, contact the Department of Tourism Regulations via telephone at +1649 338- 55349 and email at tourismegulations@gov.tc.

Legal Reference

The accommodation classification system is established under the Tourism Regulation and Licensing Ordinance, 2023 (Ordinance 13 of 2023). The exact legal wording governing the classification of accommodation premises can be found in:

Section 33 – Classification Requirement

Section 34 – Classification of Premises

Schedule 5 – Classification of Premises