Deregister your certified tourist accommodation
Tourist accommodation categories that need certification
The eight categories of tourist accommodation that require certification from Tourism NI in order to trade.
There are eight categories of tourist accommodation in Northern Ireland. These are:
- hotels
- guesthouses
- bed and breakfast establishments
- guest accommodation
- hostels
- self-catering establishments
- bunk houses/camping barns
- campus accommodation
Tourism laws set out minimum requirements for each of the categories, such as number of bedrooms, bathrooms, facilities, amenities or services provided. You must fulfil the minimum criteria to be allocated to one of the categories.
A statutory inspection, carried out by Tourism NI, will determine whether your premises meet the criteria laid down for your category.
New ventures need to be certified and inspected by Tourism NI before they are allowed to trade legally.
Existing businesses will have to be inspected at least once every four years, to ensure they still meet the minimum standards.
Changing tourist accommodation categories
If you already run a tourist accommodation business, but wish to change your premises to a different category, you will need to apply to Tourism NI. Your premises will be re-inspected. If you meet the required minimum standard for the new category, a new certificate will be issued. If you are an existing tourism accommodation provider, you can apply to change accommodation category online [registration required].
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Get your tourist accommodation certified
The process of applying for tourist accommodation certification from Tourism NI and getting your premises inspected.
You must be certified by Tourism NI if you provide tourist accommodation. The law requires you to have a valid Tourism NI certificate to run your tourism accommodation business legally. If you don't have the certificate, you risk getting fined up to £2,500, imprisoned for up to 6 months, or both.
Before applying for a certificate
To become a certified tourist accommodation provider, you will need to consider other legal requirements such as planning permissions, fire compliance and registering your private water supply.
You can learn more about these in our guides:
- legal requirements for tourism businesses
- get the right licences for your tourist accommodation business
Applying for certification
You can apply for certification online. You will need to send a relevant inspection fee, as well as any other documentation required along with your application.
Inspection visit
When Tourism NI receives your application, you will be appointed a quality & standards (Q&S) officer. The officer will carry out an inspection of your premises. You will get a letter advising you of this, and a phone call from the Q&S Officer letting you know the date of your inspection.
After the inspection, Tourism NI will either approve or refuse the issue of a certificate. In some cases, they may give conditions to the certificate, such as additional work to be carried out on the property. You will be given a set time to carry out this work.
If your property doesn't meet the criteria for the accommodation category you are applying for, your application will be refused. You will be served a notice detailing the reasons for refusal. If you don't agree with Tourism NI's decision to refuse to issue a certificate, you can appeal the inspection outcome.
It generally takes between 4-8 weeks from when you apply to obtain the notification or refusal of a certificate. The length of time will depend on your availability and the inspectors' existing schedules.
Conditions of your certification
If your premises meets the minimum requirement standards, your premises will become a certified tourist establishment and you may begin trading.
You must display your certificate on your premises in a visible place around the entrance. You must comply with any conditions attached to a certificate, including informing Tourism NI if the owner changes and maintaining a visitor register.
To maintain your certification, you will also need to allow Tourism NI to carry out statutory inspection of your premises at least once every four years. Occasionally there will also be ad hoc inspections.
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Source URL
/content/get-your-tourist-accommodation-certified
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Inspections of certified tourist accommodation
Tourism NI inspects certified tourist accommodation every four years and also carries out ad-hoc inspections.
Tourism NI carries out statutory inspections of tourist accommodation premises in Northern Ireland at least once every four years. This is to ensure that established businesses continue to provide at least the statutory minimum standards fitting to their accommodation category.
These statutory inspections incur fees which you will need to cover.
In each of the three years between, you will need to complete a statutory review form. You will usually be given a 30 days notice to submit your yearly statutory review form to Tourism NI.
Tourism NI can also carry out ad hoc inspections of your premises as part of their monitoring remit, or upon receiving visitor complaints. These do not incur a fee and do not impact on the four year inspection cycle for your premises.
What happens after inspection?
If Tourism NI determines that, after an inspection or a statutory review, your establishment meets the prescribed minimum standards, it will be confirmed in its category.
However, you may be served with a notice revoking your certificate if:
- after inspection or statutory review, Tourism NI finds that your accommodation no longer meets criteria for its particular category
- you refuse to allow your premises to be inspected on two occasions
If Tourism NI revokes your existing certificate, you will not be able to continue trading legally. You may request a review of this decision within seven days from the date on which the notice of refusal or revocation is issued. See appealing your tourist accommodation inspection outcome.
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Source URL
/content/inspections-certified-tourist-accommodation
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Appealing your tourist accommodation inspection outcome
If Tourism NI refuse or revoke your tourist accommodation certification you can appeal the decision.
If your premises fail to meet the minimum statutory standards for your chosen accommodation category, Tourism NI will either:
- refuse to issue you a certificate if you are a new business, or
- revoke the existing certificate if you are an established business
Either way, you will not be able to trade legally without a valid Tourism NI certificate.
When you're served with a notice of refusal or revocation, you can request a review of the decision within seven days from the date notice is issued. On review of the notice, Tourism NI will allow you to be heard in person, or by counsel or solicitors. Following the review, Tourism NI may withdraw the notice and issue a certificate or confirm the issue of the notice.
If the notice is confirmed, you may further appeal against the notice to the county court. On appeal, the county court may either allow the appeal, order Tourism NI to issue a certificate, or dismiss the appeal. The decision of the county court on an appeal is final.
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Deregister your certified tourist accommodation
You should inform Tourism NI if your wish to stop trading as a tourist accommodation provider.
If you no longer wish to trade as a tourist accommodation provider, you will need to inform the Tourism NI Quality & Standards Unit. You can call the Tourism NI Quality & Standards Unit on Tel 028 9044 1545 or email them at qa@tourismni.com.
Deregistering your premises with Tourism NI will withdraw your certificate and you will no longer be able to offer tourist accommodation legally.
Should you wish to begin trading again, you will need to re-apply for tourist accommodation certification with Tourism NI.
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/content/deregister-your-certified-tourist-accommodation
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Appealing your tourist accommodation inspection outcome
Tourist accommodation categories that need certification
The eight categories of tourist accommodation that require certification from Tourism NI in order to trade.
There are eight categories of tourist accommodation in Northern Ireland. These are:
- hotels
- guesthouses
- bed and breakfast establishments
- guest accommodation
- hostels
- self-catering establishments
- bunk houses/camping barns
- campus accommodation
Tourism laws set out minimum requirements for each of the categories, such as number of bedrooms, bathrooms, facilities, amenities or services provided. You must fulfil the minimum criteria to be allocated to one of the categories.
A statutory inspection, carried out by Tourism NI, will determine whether your premises meet the criteria laid down for your category.
New ventures need to be certified and inspected by Tourism NI before they are allowed to trade legally.
Existing businesses will have to be inspected at least once every four years, to ensure they still meet the minimum standards.
Changing tourist accommodation categories
If you already run a tourist accommodation business, but wish to change your premises to a different category, you will need to apply to Tourism NI. Your premises will be re-inspected. If you meet the required minimum standard for the new category, a new certificate will be issued. If you are an existing tourism accommodation provider, you can apply to change accommodation category online [registration required].
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/tourist-accommodation-categories-need-certification
Links
Get your tourist accommodation certified
The process of applying for tourist accommodation certification from Tourism NI and getting your premises inspected.
You must be certified by Tourism NI if you provide tourist accommodation. The law requires you to have a valid Tourism NI certificate to run your tourism accommodation business legally. If you don't have the certificate, you risk getting fined up to £2,500, imprisoned for up to 6 months, or both.
Before applying for a certificate
To become a certified tourist accommodation provider, you will need to consider other legal requirements such as planning permissions, fire compliance and registering your private water supply.
You can learn more about these in our guides:
- legal requirements for tourism businesses
- get the right licences for your tourist accommodation business
Applying for certification
You can apply for certification online. You will need to send a relevant inspection fee, as well as any other documentation required along with your application.
Inspection visit
When Tourism NI receives your application, you will be appointed a quality & standards (Q&S) officer. The officer will carry out an inspection of your premises. You will get a letter advising you of this, and a phone call from the Q&S Officer letting you know the date of your inspection.
After the inspection, Tourism NI will either approve or refuse the issue of a certificate. In some cases, they may give conditions to the certificate, such as additional work to be carried out on the property. You will be given a set time to carry out this work.
If your property doesn't meet the criteria for the accommodation category you are applying for, your application will be refused. You will be served a notice detailing the reasons for refusal. If you don't agree with Tourism NI's decision to refuse to issue a certificate, you can appeal the inspection outcome.
It generally takes between 4-8 weeks from when you apply to obtain the notification or refusal of a certificate. The length of time will depend on your availability and the inspectors' existing schedules.
Conditions of your certification
If your premises meets the minimum requirement standards, your premises will become a certified tourist establishment and you may begin trading.
You must display your certificate on your premises in a visible place around the entrance. You must comply with any conditions attached to a certificate, including informing Tourism NI if the owner changes and maintaining a visitor register.
To maintain your certification, you will also need to allow Tourism NI to carry out statutory inspection of your premises at least once every four years. Occasionally there will also be ad hoc inspections.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/get-your-tourist-accommodation-certified
Links
Inspections of certified tourist accommodation
Tourism NI inspects certified tourist accommodation every four years and also carries out ad-hoc inspections.
Tourism NI carries out statutory inspections of tourist accommodation premises in Northern Ireland at least once every four years. This is to ensure that established businesses continue to provide at least the statutory minimum standards fitting to their accommodation category.
These statutory inspections incur fees which you will need to cover.
In each of the three years between, you will need to complete a statutory review form. You will usually be given a 30 days notice to submit your yearly statutory review form to Tourism NI.
Tourism NI can also carry out ad hoc inspections of your premises as part of their monitoring remit, or upon receiving visitor complaints. These do not incur a fee and do not impact on the four year inspection cycle for your premises.
What happens after inspection?
If Tourism NI determines that, after an inspection or a statutory review, your establishment meets the prescribed minimum standards, it will be confirmed in its category.
However, you may be served with a notice revoking your certificate if:
- after inspection or statutory review, Tourism NI finds that your accommodation no longer meets criteria for its particular category
- you refuse to allow your premises to be inspected on two occasions
If Tourism NI revokes your existing certificate, you will not be able to continue trading legally. You may request a review of this decision within seven days from the date on which the notice of refusal or revocation is issued. See appealing your tourist accommodation inspection outcome.
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Source URL
/content/inspections-certified-tourist-accommodation
Links
Appealing your tourist accommodation inspection outcome
If Tourism NI refuse or revoke your tourist accommodation certification you can appeal the decision.
If your premises fail to meet the minimum statutory standards for your chosen accommodation category, Tourism NI will either:
- refuse to issue you a certificate if you are a new business, or
- revoke the existing certificate if you are an established business
Either way, you will not be able to trade legally without a valid Tourism NI certificate.
When you're served with a notice of refusal or revocation, you can request a review of the decision within seven days from the date notice is issued. On review of the notice, Tourism NI will allow you to be heard in person, or by counsel or solicitors. Following the review, Tourism NI may withdraw the notice and issue a certificate or confirm the issue of the notice.
If the notice is confirmed, you may further appeal against the notice to the county court. On appeal, the county court may either allow the appeal, order Tourism NI to issue a certificate, or dismiss the appeal. The decision of the county court on an appeal is final.
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Source URL
/content/appealing-your-tourist-accommodation-inspection-outcome
Links
Deregister your certified tourist accommodation
You should inform Tourism NI if your wish to stop trading as a tourist accommodation provider.
If you no longer wish to trade as a tourist accommodation provider, you will need to inform the Tourism NI Quality & Standards Unit. You can call the Tourism NI Quality & Standards Unit on Tel 028 9044 1545 or email them at qa@tourismni.com.
Deregistering your premises with Tourism NI will withdraw your certificate and you will no longer be able to offer tourist accommodation legally.
Should you wish to begin trading again, you will need to re-apply for tourist accommodation certification with Tourism NI.
Developed withContent category
Source URL
/content/deregister-your-certified-tourist-accommodation
Links
Inspections of certified tourist accommodation
Tourist accommodation categories that need certification
The eight categories of tourist accommodation that require certification from Tourism NI in order to trade.
There are eight categories of tourist accommodation in Northern Ireland. These are:
- hotels
- guesthouses
- bed and breakfast establishments
- guest accommodation
- hostels
- self-catering establishments
- bunk houses/camping barns
- campus accommodation
Tourism laws set out minimum requirements for each of the categories, such as number of bedrooms, bathrooms, facilities, amenities or services provided. You must fulfil the minimum criteria to be allocated to one of the categories.
A statutory inspection, carried out by Tourism NI, will determine whether your premises meet the criteria laid down for your category.
New ventures need to be certified and inspected by Tourism NI before they are allowed to trade legally.
Existing businesses will have to be inspected at least once every four years, to ensure they still meet the minimum standards.
Changing tourist accommodation categories
If you already run a tourist accommodation business, but wish to change your premises to a different category, you will need to apply to Tourism NI. Your premises will be re-inspected. If you meet the required minimum standard for the new category, a new certificate will be issued. If you are an existing tourism accommodation provider, you can apply to change accommodation category online [registration required].
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/tourist-accommodation-categories-need-certification
Links
Get your tourist accommodation certified
The process of applying for tourist accommodation certification from Tourism NI and getting your premises inspected.
You must be certified by Tourism NI if you provide tourist accommodation. The law requires you to have a valid Tourism NI certificate to run your tourism accommodation business legally. If you don't have the certificate, you risk getting fined up to £2,500, imprisoned for up to 6 months, or both.
Before applying for a certificate
To become a certified tourist accommodation provider, you will need to consider other legal requirements such as planning permissions, fire compliance and registering your private water supply.
You can learn more about these in our guides:
- legal requirements for tourism businesses
- get the right licences for your tourist accommodation business
Applying for certification
You can apply for certification online. You will need to send a relevant inspection fee, as well as any other documentation required along with your application.
Inspection visit
When Tourism NI receives your application, you will be appointed a quality & standards (Q&S) officer. The officer will carry out an inspection of your premises. You will get a letter advising you of this, and a phone call from the Q&S Officer letting you know the date of your inspection.
After the inspection, Tourism NI will either approve or refuse the issue of a certificate. In some cases, they may give conditions to the certificate, such as additional work to be carried out on the property. You will be given a set time to carry out this work.
If your property doesn't meet the criteria for the accommodation category you are applying for, your application will be refused. You will be served a notice detailing the reasons for refusal. If you don't agree with Tourism NI's decision to refuse to issue a certificate, you can appeal the inspection outcome.
It generally takes between 4-8 weeks from when you apply to obtain the notification or refusal of a certificate. The length of time will depend on your availability and the inspectors' existing schedules.
Conditions of your certification
If your premises meets the minimum requirement standards, your premises will become a certified tourist establishment and you may begin trading.
You must display your certificate on your premises in a visible place around the entrance. You must comply with any conditions attached to a certificate, including informing Tourism NI if the owner changes and maintaining a visitor register.
To maintain your certification, you will also need to allow Tourism NI to carry out statutory inspection of your premises at least once every four years. Occasionally there will also be ad hoc inspections.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/get-your-tourist-accommodation-certified
Links
Inspections of certified tourist accommodation
Tourism NI inspects certified tourist accommodation every four years and also carries out ad-hoc inspections.
Tourism NI carries out statutory inspections of tourist accommodation premises in Northern Ireland at least once every four years. This is to ensure that established businesses continue to provide at least the statutory minimum standards fitting to their accommodation category.
These statutory inspections incur fees which you will need to cover.
In each of the three years between, you will need to complete a statutory review form. You will usually be given a 30 days notice to submit your yearly statutory review form to Tourism NI.
Tourism NI can also carry out ad hoc inspections of your premises as part of their monitoring remit, or upon receiving visitor complaints. These do not incur a fee and do not impact on the four year inspection cycle for your premises.
What happens after inspection?
If Tourism NI determines that, after an inspection or a statutory review, your establishment meets the prescribed minimum standards, it will be confirmed in its category.
However, you may be served with a notice revoking your certificate if:
- after inspection or statutory review, Tourism NI finds that your accommodation no longer meets criteria for its particular category
- you refuse to allow your premises to be inspected on two occasions
If Tourism NI revokes your existing certificate, you will not be able to continue trading legally. You may request a review of this decision within seven days from the date on which the notice of refusal or revocation is issued. See appealing your tourist accommodation inspection outcome.
Developed withActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/inspections-certified-tourist-accommodation
Links
Appealing your tourist accommodation inspection outcome
If Tourism NI refuse or revoke your tourist accommodation certification you can appeal the decision.
If your premises fail to meet the minimum statutory standards for your chosen accommodation category, Tourism NI will either:
- refuse to issue you a certificate if you are a new business, or
- revoke the existing certificate if you are an established business
Either way, you will not be able to trade legally without a valid Tourism NI certificate.
When you're served with a notice of refusal or revocation, you can request a review of the decision within seven days from the date notice is issued. On review of the notice, Tourism NI will allow you to be heard in person, or by counsel or solicitors. Following the review, Tourism NI may withdraw the notice and issue a certificate or confirm the issue of the notice.
If the notice is confirmed, you may further appeal against the notice to the county court. On appeal, the county court may either allow the appeal, order Tourism NI to issue a certificate, or dismiss the appeal. The decision of the county court on an appeal is final.
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Source URL
/content/appealing-your-tourist-accommodation-inspection-outcome
Links
Deregister your certified tourist accommodation
You should inform Tourism NI if your wish to stop trading as a tourist accommodation provider.
If you no longer wish to trade as a tourist accommodation provider, you will need to inform the Tourism NI Quality & Standards Unit. You can call the Tourism NI Quality & Standards Unit on Tel 028 9044 1545 or email them at qa@tourismni.com.
Deregistering your premises with Tourism NI will withdraw your certificate and you will no longer be able to offer tourist accommodation legally.
Should you wish to begin trading again, you will need to re-apply for tourist accommodation certification with Tourism NI.
Developed withContent category
Source URL
/content/deregister-your-certified-tourist-accommodation
Links
Get your tourist accommodation certified
Tourist accommodation categories that need certification
The eight categories of tourist accommodation that require certification from Tourism NI in order to trade.
There are eight categories of tourist accommodation in Northern Ireland. These are:
- hotels
- guesthouses
- bed and breakfast establishments
- guest accommodation
- hostels
- self-catering establishments
- bunk houses/camping barns
- campus accommodation
Tourism laws set out minimum requirements for each of the categories, such as number of bedrooms, bathrooms, facilities, amenities or services provided. You must fulfil the minimum criteria to be allocated to one of the categories.
A statutory inspection, carried out by Tourism NI, will determine whether your premises meet the criteria laid down for your category.
New ventures need to be certified and inspected by Tourism NI before they are allowed to trade legally.
Existing businesses will have to be inspected at least once every four years, to ensure they still meet the minimum standards.
Changing tourist accommodation categories
If you already run a tourist accommodation business, but wish to change your premises to a different category, you will need to apply to Tourism NI. Your premises will be re-inspected. If you meet the required minimum standard for the new category, a new certificate will be issued. If you are an existing tourism accommodation provider, you can apply to change accommodation category online [registration required].
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/tourist-accommodation-categories-need-certification
Links
Get your tourist accommodation certified
The process of applying for tourist accommodation certification from Tourism NI and getting your premises inspected.
You must be certified by Tourism NI if you provide tourist accommodation. The law requires you to have a valid Tourism NI certificate to run your tourism accommodation business legally. If you don't have the certificate, you risk getting fined up to £2,500, imprisoned for up to 6 months, or both.
Before applying for a certificate
To become a certified tourist accommodation provider, you will need to consider other legal requirements such as planning permissions, fire compliance and registering your private water supply.
You can learn more about these in our guides:
- legal requirements for tourism businesses
- get the right licences for your tourist accommodation business
Applying for certification
You can apply for certification online. You will need to send a relevant inspection fee, as well as any other documentation required along with your application.
Inspection visit
When Tourism NI receives your application, you will be appointed a quality & standards (Q&S) officer. The officer will carry out an inspection of your premises. You will get a letter advising you of this, and a phone call from the Q&S Officer letting you know the date of your inspection.
After the inspection, Tourism NI will either approve or refuse the issue of a certificate. In some cases, they may give conditions to the certificate, such as additional work to be carried out on the property. You will be given a set time to carry out this work.
If your property doesn't meet the criteria for the accommodation category you are applying for, your application will be refused. You will be served a notice detailing the reasons for refusal. If you don't agree with Tourism NI's decision to refuse to issue a certificate, you can appeal the inspection outcome.
It generally takes between 4-8 weeks from when you apply to obtain the notification or refusal of a certificate. The length of time will depend on your availability and the inspectors' existing schedules.
Conditions of your certification
If your premises meets the minimum requirement standards, your premises will become a certified tourist establishment and you may begin trading.
You must display your certificate on your premises in a visible place around the entrance. You must comply with any conditions attached to a certificate, including informing Tourism NI if the owner changes and maintaining a visitor register.
To maintain your certification, you will also need to allow Tourism NI to carry out statutory inspection of your premises at least once every four years. Occasionally there will also be ad hoc inspections.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/get-your-tourist-accommodation-certified
Links
Inspections of certified tourist accommodation
Tourism NI inspects certified tourist accommodation every four years and also carries out ad-hoc inspections.
Tourism NI carries out statutory inspections of tourist accommodation premises in Northern Ireland at least once every four years. This is to ensure that established businesses continue to provide at least the statutory minimum standards fitting to their accommodation category.
These statutory inspections incur fees which you will need to cover.
In each of the three years between, you will need to complete a statutory review form. You will usually be given a 30 days notice to submit your yearly statutory review form to Tourism NI.
Tourism NI can also carry out ad hoc inspections of your premises as part of their monitoring remit, or upon receiving visitor complaints. These do not incur a fee and do not impact on the four year inspection cycle for your premises.
What happens after inspection?
If Tourism NI determines that, after an inspection or a statutory review, your establishment meets the prescribed minimum standards, it will be confirmed in its category.
However, you may be served with a notice revoking your certificate if:
- after inspection or statutory review, Tourism NI finds that your accommodation no longer meets criteria for its particular category
- you refuse to allow your premises to be inspected on two occasions
If Tourism NI revokes your existing certificate, you will not be able to continue trading legally. You may request a review of this decision within seven days from the date on which the notice of refusal or revocation is issued. See appealing your tourist accommodation inspection outcome.
Developed withActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/inspections-certified-tourist-accommodation
Links
Appealing your tourist accommodation inspection outcome
If Tourism NI refuse or revoke your tourist accommodation certification you can appeal the decision.
If your premises fail to meet the minimum statutory standards for your chosen accommodation category, Tourism NI will either:
- refuse to issue you a certificate if you are a new business, or
- revoke the existing certificate if you are an established business
Either way, you will not be able to trade legally without a valid Tourism NI certificate.
When you're served with a notice of refusal or revocation, you can request a review of the decision within seven days from the date notice is issued. On review of the notice, Tourism NI will allow you to be heard in person, or by counsel or solicitors. Following the review, Tourism NI may withdraw the notice and issue a certificate or confirm the issue of the notice.
If the notice is confirmed, you may further appeal against the notice to the county court. On appeal, the county court may either allow the appeal, order Tourism NI to issue a certificate, or dismiss the appeal. The decision of the county court on an appeal is final.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/appealing-your-tourist-accommodation-inspection-outcome
Links
Deregister your certified tourist accommodation
You should inform Tourism NI if your wish to stop trading as a tourist accommodation provider.
If you no longer wish to trade as a tourist accommodation provider, you will need to inform the Tourism NI Quality & Standards Unit. You can call the Tourism NI Quality & Standards Unit on Tel 028 9044 1545 or email them at qa@tourismni.com.
Deregistering your premises with Tourism NI will withdraw your certificate and you will no longer be able to offer tourist accommodation legally.
Should you wish to begin trading again, you will need to re-apply for tourist accommodation certification with Tourism NI.
Developed withContent category
Source URL
/content/deregister-your-certified-tourist-accommodation
Links
Tourist accommodation categories that need certification
Tourist accommodation categories that need certification
The eight categories of tourist accommodation that require certification from Tourism NI in order to trade.
There are eight categories of tourist accommodation in Northern Ireland. These are:
- hotels
- guesthouses
- bed and breakfast establishments
- guest accommodation
- hostels
- self-catering establishments
- bunk houses/camping barns
- campus accommodation
Tourism laws set out minimum requirements for each of the categories, such as number of bedrooms, bathrooms, facilities, amenities or services provided. You must fulfil the minimum criteria to be allocated to one of the categories.
A statutory inspection, carried out by Tourism NI, will determine whether your premises meet the criteria laid down for your category.
New ventures need to be certified and inspected by Tourism NI before they are allowed to trade legally.
Existing businesses will have to be inspected at least once every four years, to ensure they still meet the minimum standards.
Changing tourist accommodation categories
If you already run a tourist accommodation business, but wish to change your premises to a different category, you will need to apply to Tourism NI. Your premises will be re-inspected. If you meet the required minimum standard for the new category, a new certificate will be issued. If you are an existing tourism accommodation provider, you can apply to change accommodation category online [registration required].
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/tourist-accommodation-categories-need-certification
Links
Get your tourist accommodation certified
The process of applying for tourist accommodation certification from Tourism NI and getting your premises inspected.
You must be certified by Tourism NI if you provide tourist accommodation. The law requires you to have a valid Tourism NI certificate to run your tourism accommodation business legally. If you don't have the certificate, you risk getting fined up to £2,500, imprisoned for up to 6 months, or both.
Before applying for a certificate
To become a certified tourist accommodation provider, you will need to consider other legal requirements such as planning permissions, fire compliance and registering your private water supply.
You can learn more about these in our guides:
- legal requirements for tourism businesses
- get the right licences for your tourist accommodation business
Applying for certification
You can apply for certification online. You will need to send a relevant inspection fee, as well as any other documentation required along with your application.
Inspection visit
When Tourism NI receives your application, you will be appointed a quality & standards (Q&S) officer. The officer will carry out an inspection of your premises. You will get a letter advising you of this, and a phone call from the Q&S Officer letting you know the date of your inspection.
After the inspection, Tourism NI will either approve or refuse the issue of a certificate. In some cases, they may give conditions to the certificate, such as additional work to be carried out on the property. You will be given a set time to carry out this work.
If your property doesn't meet the criteria for the accommodation category you are applying for, your application will be refused. You will be served a notice detailing the reasons for refusal. If you don't agree with Tourism NI's decision to refuse to issue a certificate, you can appeal the inspection outcome.
It generally takes between 4-8 weeks from when you apply to obtain the notification or refusal of a certificate. The length of time will depend on your availability and the inspectors' existing schedules.
Conditions of your certification
If your premises meets the minimum requirement standards, your premises will become a certified tourist establishment and you may begin trading.
You must display your certificate on your premises in a visible place around the entrance. You must comply with any conditions attached to a certificate, including informing Tourism NI if the owner changes and maintaining a visitor register.
To maintain your certification, you will also need to allow Tourism NI to carry out statutory inspection of your premises at least once every four years. Occasionally there will also be ad hoc inspections.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/get-your-tourist-accommodation-certified
Links
Inspections of certified tourist accommodation
Tourism NI inspects certified tourist accommodation every four years and also carries out ad-hoc inspections.
Tourism NI carries out statutory inspections of tourist accommodation premises in Northern Ireland at least once every four years. This is to ensure that established businesses continue to provide at least the statutory minimum standards fitting to their accommodation category.
These statutory inspections incur fees which you will need to cover.
In each of the three years between, you will need to complete a statutory review form. You will usually be given a 30 days notice to submit your yearly statutory review form to Tourism NI.
Tourism NI can also carry out ad hoc inspections of your premises as part of their monitoring remit, or upon receiving visitor complaints. These do not incur a fee and do not impact on the four year inspection cycle for your premises.
What happens after inspection?
If Tourism NI determines that, after an inspection or a statutory review, your establishment meets the prescribed minimum standards, it will be confirmed in its category.
However, you may be served with a notice revoking your certificate if:
- after inspection or statutory review, Tourism NI finds that your accommodation no longer meets criteria for its particular category
- you refuse to allow your premises to be inspected on two occasions
If Tourism NI revokes your existing certificate, you will not be able to continue trading legally. You may request a review of this decision within seven days from the date on which the notice of refusal or revocation is issued. See appealing your tourist accommodation inspection outcome.
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Appealing your tourist accommodation inspection outcome
If Tourism NI refuse or revoke your tourist accommodation certification you can appeal the decision.
If your premises fail to meet the minimum statutory standards for your chosen accommodation category, Tourism NI will either:
- refuse to issue you a certificate if you are a new business, or
- revoke the existing certificate if you are an established business
Either way, you will not be able to trade legally without a valid Tourism NI certificate.
When you're served with a notice of refusal or revocation, you can request a review of the decision within seven days from the date notice is issued. On review of the notice, Tourism NI will allow you to be heard in person, or by counsel or solicitors. Following the review, Tourism NI may withdraw the notice and issue a certificate or confirm the issue of the notice.
If the notice is confirmed, you may further appeal against the notice to the county court. On appeal, the county court may either allow the appeal, order Tourism NI to issue a certificate, or dismiss the appeal. The decision of the county court on an appeal is final.
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Deregister your certified tourist accommodation
You should inform Tourism NI if your wish to stop trading as a tourist accommodation provider.
If you no longer wish to trade as a tourist accommodation provider, you will need to inform the Tourism NI Quality & Standards Unit. You can call the Tourism NI Quality & Standards Unit on Tel 028 9044 1545 or email them at qa@tourismni.com.
Deregistering your premises with Tourism NI will withdraw your certificate and you will no longer be able to offer tourist accommodation legally.
Should you wish to begin trading again, you will need to re-apply for tourist accommodation certification with Tourism NI.
Developed withContent category
Source URL
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Links
Legal and licensing help for new tourist accommodation businesses
In this guide:
- Start a tourist accommodation business
- The tourist economy in Northern Ireland
- Legal and licensing help for new tourist accommodation businesses
- Categories of accommodation business
- Certifying a new accommodation business
- Quality assessment and star ratings for new accommodation businesses
- Entrepreneurship for tourist accommodation providers
- Support available for accommodation businesses
- Starting a tourist accommodation business - Kribben Cottages (video)
The tourist economy in Northern Ireland
Key facts and figures about the tourism industry in Northern Ireland.
In 2019, tourism in Northern Ireland attracted 5.3 million visitors who spent £1 billion.
In the past number of years the Northern Ireland tourism industry has benefited from significant major events such as The Open at Royal Portrush in 2019.
Future opportunities will arise with the growing demand for screen tourism following the worldwide success of programmes like Game of Thrones and films such as Belfast.
Northern Ireland has also benefited from other significant tourism developments including the opening of new attractions such as the Game of Thrones studio tour.
Key statistics
Tourism statistics released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) for 2019 show:
- Overnight trips to Northern Ireland by external visitors were estimated to be 3 million.
- The growth in trips was largely driven by holidays, as there were 322,000 more holiday visitors compared with 2018. The closer to home markets (NI and ROI) increased by 17%, while holiday visitors from GB and Other Overseas grew by 7%.
- Domestic performance was strong, with NI residents taking more trips, notably holidays, in NI and spending more.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/tourist-economy-northern-ireland
Links
Legal and licensing help for new tourist accommodation businesses
You should be aware of the various legal considerations before starting up a tourist accommodation business, such as certification.
There are a number of legal considerations for tourist accommodation providers. You must comply with all relevant legislation, in particular the Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.
Several organisations exist that can offer advice and guidance that will assist you in starting a tourist accommodation business.
Tourism NI
The Tourism NI Quality and Standards Unit can help you with mandatory tourism accommodation certification guidance and complying with relevant laws.
Invest NI Tourism Team
The Invest NI Tourism Team can advise you on the commercial aspects of your development.
Financial assistance may be available to established businesses or to help develop new accommodation businesses.
You can contact the Invest NI Tourism Team on Tel 0800 181 4422 or email tourism@investni.com.
Planning authorities
You should also speak with your local planning office at the outset of the project to find out if you will encounter any planning problems. A clear understanding, at an early stage, of planning issues relating to your project may save you time and money.
Your local council
The tourism officers of your local council will have a detailed knowledge of the tourism situation in your local area and will be able to provide information about council schemes or upcoming events, activities and initiatives planned for your area. Find your local council in Northern Ireland.
Rural projects
From time to time the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) offers support for the development of rural tourism accommodation projects.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/legal-and-licensing-help-new-tourist-accommodation-businesses
Links
Categories of accommodation business
The eight accommodation categories in Northern Ireland including hotel, guesthouse, bed and breakfast and hostel.
Under the Tourism (NI) Order 1992, there are eight categories of accommodation. Each of these types of accommodation must be certified by Tourism NI.
What are the eight categories of tourism accommodation in Northern Ireland?
The different types of tourism accommodation include:
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment with a minimum of 15 double bedrooms (all of which must be en suite) that can provide breakfast, lunch, and an evening meal for guests.
Guesthouse
A guesthouse is an establishment with a minimum of three double bedrooms (all of which must be en suite) and can provide both breakfast and an evening meal.
Bed and breakfast (B&B)
A B&B offers overnight accommodation whilst also providing guests with a cooked breakfast. There is no requirement to provide an evening meal and only one guest bedroom is required.
Hostel
A hostel provides overnight budget accommodation for guests in shared rooms or dormitories. A hostel should have shared or en suite bathroom facilities, as well as a common kitchen and lounge area.
Self-catering
a self-catering unit is a self-contained apartment, house, cottage, etc which provides furnished accommodation for visitors including sleeping accommodation and catering facilities.
Bunk house/Camping barn
A bunk house or camping barn offers simple overnight shelter, often in remote locations with limited facilities and services.
Campus accommodation
Campus accommodation is provided by educational establishments for their students and made available to individuals, families or groups at certain times of the year, typically Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.
Guest accommodation
guest accommodation is primarily focused on the provision of en suite bedrooms, for example, restaurants and pubs that wish to provide accommodation for visitors.
Tourism NI offers start up guides for each of these categories. If you are an existing tourist accommodation provider and you wish to change your category, eg from a B&B to a guesthouse, you can apply online.
Developed withActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/categories-accommodation-business
Links
Certifying a new accommodation business
If you are starting up a new tourist accommodation business such as a hotel or bed and breakfast, you must apply to get certification from Tourism NI.
To offer tourist accommodation in Northern Ireland, you must have a certificate from Tourism NI. It is illegal to offer tourist accommodation without certification.
Planning permission
Before seeking certification it is important to ensure you have met planning guidelines if you have had to make any building adjustments to the premises you intend to use for your accommodation business. See local council contact details in Northern Ireland.
Certification
Certification is mandatory for most establishments offering visitor accommodation in Northern Ireland. You can apply online to be certified by Tourism NI.
A fee for the inspection is payable in advance for the first inspection. Statutory inspections then take place once every four years although Tourism NI can undertake an inspection at any time. The purpose of inspections is to ensure that the minimum requirements appropriate to the category continue to be met. If not, Tourism NI may add conditions to the certificate or revoke it.
A certification officer will conduct an inspection to determine if the premises can be allocated to the chosen category. If a certificate is issued, your premises becomes a Certified Tourist Establishment and you may start trading.
Developed withContent category
Source URL
/content/certifying-new-accommodation-business
Links
Quality assessment and star ratings for new accommodation businesses
Tourism NI runs a voluntary quality grading scheme for accommodation businesses – find out how to get your new business graded to boost your reputation.
Tourism NI runs a Quality Grading Scheme for accommodation businesses in Northern Ireland. Other UK National Tourist Boards and the AA also operate the scheme. This scheme is open to hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, guest accommodation, hostels and self-catering accommodation.
The scheme focuses on enhancing the visitor experience across all visitor touchpoints. In addition to providing a star rating which helps visitor decision making, the scheme also provides businesses with advice and support
Having a quality rating will give your premises credibility and visibility which is vital in today's competitive market.
Your business may receive up to five stars, based on a range of criteria, including cleanliness, presentation and service. Your business is rated by an assessor who in some instances will visit without making themselves known.
Please note that this scheme is voluntary, it is not a legal requirement and you are under no obligation to apply for quality grading.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/quality-assessment-and-star-ratings-new-accommodation-businesses
Links
Entrepreneurship for tourist accommodation providers
Accommodation providers can benefit from strategic planning and taking an entrepreneurial approach to running the business.
With the variety of choice available to consumers from hotels, B&B's, caravan parks, guest houses or self catering accommodation it is important that tourist accommodation businesses take an entrepreneurial approach to generate profits or grow.
Taking an entrepreneurial approach in the tourist accommodation industry could include exploiting opportunities presented by increased visitor numbers due to major events, festivals, tourist attractions or celebrations.
Potential investors in tourism accommodation should be careful that there is a sustainable demand for more accommodation - beyond one event or one year. As with any investment, investors should look for a reasonable return on investment. The investment should only be made when a real tourism market need has been identified and not just because a building or site has become available for development.
Entrepreneurship can be encouraged in business by being forward thinking, well organised, responsive to change and by encouraging staff to think outside the box. In addition to this businesses can cut out bureaucratic processes, simplify decision making, take a structured approach to financial management reward staff for new ideas and business improvement suggestions.
Factors to consider
When assessing options for entrepreneurial opportunities, consideration should be given to the following:
- current accommodation provision
- occupancy levels
- attractions and events
- research and trends
- strategic tourism policy
- pricing levels of competition
Developed withActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/entrepreneurship-tourist-accommodation-providers
Links
Support available for accommodation businesses
Help, support and advice for tourist accommodation providers such as hotels and guesthouses, including Invest NI and Tourism NI.
There are a range of organisations who can provide support for tourist accommodation businesses.
Invest Northern Ireland Tourism Team
The Invest Northern Ireland (NI) Tourism Team can advise you on the commercial aspects of your tourism accommodation development.
Financial assistance may be available to established businesses or to help develop new accommodation businesses.
Invest NI may also offer a wide range of advice and guidance to tourism accommodation businesses including:-
- IT and e-business issues
- training
- design and marketing
- market research information
- energy and water efficiencies
You can contact the Invest NI Tourism Team on Tel 0800 181 4422 or email tourism@investni.com.
Other support organisations
You can also seek support from other organisations such as Tourism NI, your local council and local planning authorities. See legal and licensing help for new tourist accommodation businesses.
Business support networks
Business networks are of paramount importance, they will assist you in growing your business. You can keep up to date with the latest industry developments and learn best practices from your peers.
The following organisations are networks of accommodation, hospitality and tourism businesses:
- Northern Ireland Hotel's Federation
- Visit Belfast
- Visit Derry
- Visit Causeway Coast & Glens
- Fermanagh Lakelands
Additional support
Tourism NI offers a range of support for tourist accommodation businesses including:
- Northern Ireland marketed as a tourism destination via Tourism NI's consumer website Discover Northern Ireland.
- Access to industry events which includes roadshows, masterclasses, business insights and conferences
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/support-available-accommodation-businesses
Links
Start a tourist accommodation business
Starting a tourist accommodation business - Kribben Cottages (video)
Kribben Cottages explain how they started a four star self-catering accommodation business at the Mourne Mountains in County Down.
Kribben Cottages offer self-catering accommodation close to the Mourne Mountains in County Down. The cottages opened in 2014 and have achieved a four-star rating from Tourism NI. They have also received Green Tourism certification.
Myrtle Haugh, Property Manager at Kribben Cottages, highlights how they started the business. She explains how they got Tourism NI certification, including the grading process. Myrtle also discusses they found a niche in the market by researching tourism in Northern Ireland.
Case StudyMyrtle HaughContent category
Source URL
/content/starting-tourist-accommodation-business-kribben-cottages-video
Links
Entrepreneurship for tourist accommodation providers
In this guide:
- Start a tourist accommodation business
- The tourist economy in Northern Ireland
- Legal and licensing help for new tourist accommodation businesses
- Categories of accommodation business
- Certifying a new accommodation business
- Quality assessment and star ratings for new accommodation businesses
- Entrepreneurship for tourist accommodation providers
- Support available for accommodation businesses
- Starting a tourist accommodation business - Kribben Cottages (video)
The tourist economy in Northern Ireland
Key facts and figures about the tourism industry in Northern Ireland.
In 2019, tourism in Northern Ireland attracted 5.3 million visitors who spent £1 billion.
In the past number of years the Northern Ireland tourism industry has benefited from significant major events such as The Open at Royal Portrush in 2019.
Future opportunities will arise with the growing demand for screen tourism following the worldwide success of programmes like Game of Thrones and films such as Belfast.
Northern Ireland has also benefited from other significant tourism developments including the opening of new attractions such as the Game of Thrones studio tour.
Key statistics
Tourism statistics released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) for 2019 show:
- Overnight trips to Northern Ireland by external visitors were estimated to be 3 million.
- The growth in trips was largely driven by holidays, as there were 322,000 more holiday visitors compared with 2018. The closer to home markets (NI and ROI) increased by 17%, while holiday visitors from GB and Other Overseas grew by 7%.
- Domestic performance was strong, with NI residents taking more trips, notably holidays, in NI and spending more.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/tourist-economy-northern-ireland
Links
Legal and licensing help for new tourist accommodation businesses
You should be aware of the various legal considerations before starting up a tourist accommodation business, such as certification.
There are a number of legal considerations for tourist accommodation providers. You must comply with all relevant legislation, in particular the Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.
Several organisations exist that can offer advice and guidance that will assist you in starting a tourist accommodation business.
Tourism NI
The Tourism NI Quality and Standards Unit can help you with mandatory tourism accommodation certification guidance and complying with relevant laws.
Invest NI Tourism Team
The Invest NI Tourism Team can advise you on the commercial aspects of your development.
Financial assistance may be available to established businesses or to help develop new accommodation businesses.
You can contact the Invest NI Tourism Team on Tel 0800 181 4422 or email tourism@investni.com.
Planning authorities
You should also speak with your local planning office at the outset of the project to find out if you will encounter any planning problems. A clear understanding, at an early stage, of planning issues relating to your project may save you time and money.
Your local council
The tourism officers of your local council will have a detailed knowledge of the tourism situation in your local area and will be able to provide information about council schemes or upcoming events, activities and initiatives planned for your area. Find your local council in Northern Ireland.
Rural projects
From time to time the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) offers support for the development of rural tourism accommodation projects.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/legal-and-licensing-help-new-tourist-accommodation-businesses
Links
Categories of accommodation business
The eight accommodation categories in Northern Ireland including hotel, guesthouse, bed and breakfast and hostel.
Under the Tourism (NI) Order 1992, there are eight categories of accommodation. Each of these types of accommodation must be certified by Tourism NI.
What are the eight categories of tourism accommodation in Northern Ireland?
The different types of tourism accommodation include:
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment with a minimum of 15 double bedrooms (all of which must be en suite) that can provide breakfast, lunch, and an evening meal for guests.
Guesthouse
A guesthouse is an establishment with a minimum of three double bedrooms (all of which must be en suite) and can provide both breakfast and an evening meal.
Bed and breakfast (B&B)
A B&B offers overnight accommodation whilst also providing guests with a cooked breakfast. There is no requirement to provide an evening meal and only one guest bedroom is required.
Hostel
A hostel provides overnight budget accommodation for guests in shared rooms or dormitories. A hostel should have shared or en suite bathroom facilities, as well as a common kitchen and lounge area.
Self-catering
a self-catering unit is a self-contained apartment, house, cottage, etc which provides furnished accommodation for visitors including sleeping accommodation and catering facilities.
Bunk house/Camping barn
A bunk house or camping barn offers simple overnight shelter, often in remote locations with limited facilities and services.
Campus accommodation
Campus accommodation is provided by educational establishments for their students and made available to individuals, families or groups at certain times of the year, typically Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.
Guest accommodation
guest accommodation is primarily focused on the provision of en suite bedrooms, for example, restaurants and pubs that wish to provide accommodation for visitors.
Tourism NI offers start up guides for each of these categories. If you are an existing tourist accommodation provider and you wish to change your category, eg from a B&B to a guesthouse, you can apply online.
Developed withActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/categories-accommodation-business
Links
Certifying a new accommodation business
If you are starting up a new tourist accommodation business such as a hotel or bed and breakfast, you must apply to get certification from Tourism NI.
To offer tourist accommodation in Northern Ireland, you must have a certificate from Tourism NI. It is illegal to offer tourist accommodation without certification.
Planning permission
Before seeking certification it is important to ensure you have met planning guidelines if you have had to make any building adjustments to the premises you intend to use for your accommodation business. See local council contact details in Northern Ireland.
Certification
Certification is mandatory for most establishments offering visitor accommodation in Northern Ireland. You can apply online to be certified by Tourism NI.
A fee for the inspection is payable in advance for the first inspection. Statutory inspections then take place once every four years although Tourism NI can undertake an inspection at any time. The purpose of inspections is to ensure that the minimum requirements appropriate to the category continue to be met. If not, Tourism NI may add conditions to the certificate or revoke it.
A certification officer will conduct an inspection to determine if the premises can be allocated to the chosen category. If a certificate is issued, your premises becomes a Certified Tourist Establishment and you may start trading.
Developed withContent category
Source URL
/content/certifying-new-accommodation-business
Links
Quality assessment and star ratings for new accommodation businesses
Tourism NI runs a voluntary quality grading scheme for accommodation businesses – find out how to get your new business graded to boost your reputation.
Tourism NI runs a Quality Grading Scheme for accommodation businesses in Northern Ireland. Other UK National Tourist Boards and the AA also operate the scheme. This scheme is open to hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, guest accommodation, hostels and self-catering accommodation.
The scheme focuses on enhancing the visitor experience across all visitor touchpoints. In addition to providing a star rating which helps visitor decision making, the scheme also provides businesses with advice and support
Having a quality rating will give your premises credibility and visibility which is vital in today's competitive market.
Your business may receive up to five stars, based on a range of criteria, including cleanliness, presentation and service. Your business is rated by an assessor who in some instances will visit without making themselves known.
Please note that this scheme is voluntary, it is not a legal requirement and you are under no obligation to apply for quality grading.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/quality-assessment-and-star-ratings-new-accommodation-businesses
Links
Entrepreneurship for tourist accommodation providers
Accommodation providers can benefit from strategic planning and taking an entrepreneurial approach to running the business.
With the variety of choice available to consumers from hotels, B&B's, caravan parks, guest houses or self catering accommodation it is important that tourist accommodation businesses take an entrepreneurial approach to generate profits or grow.
Taking an entrepreneurial approach in the tourist accommodation industry could include exploiting opportunities presented by increased visitor numbers due to major events, festivals, tourist attractions or celebrations.
Potential investors in tourism accommodation should be careful that there is a sustainable demand for more accommodation - beyond one event or one year. As with any investment, investors should look for a reasonable return on investment. The investment should only be made when a real tourism market need has been identified and not just because a building or site has become available for development.
Entrepreneurship can be encouraged in business by being forward thinking, well organised, responsive to change and by encouraging staff to think outside the box. In addition to this businesses can cut out bureaucratic processes, simplify decision making, take a structured approach to financial management reward staff for new ideas and business improvement suggestions.
Factors to consider
When assessing options for entrepreneurial opportunities, consideration should be given to the following:
- current accommodation provision
- occupancy levels
- attractions and events
- research and trends
- strategic tourism policy
- pricing levels of competition
Developed withActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/entrepreneurship-tourist-accommodation-providers
Links
Support available for accommodation businesses
Help, support and advice for tourist accommodation providers such as hotels and guesthouses, including Invest NI and Tourism NI.
There are a range of organisations who can provide support for tourist accommodation businesses.
Invest Northern Ireland Tourism Team
The Invest Northern Ireland (NI) Tourism Team can advise you on the commercial aspects of your tourism accommodation development.
Financial assistance may be available to established businesses or to help develop new accommodation businesses.
Invest NI may also offer a wide range of advice and guidance to tourism accommodation businesses including:-
- IT and e-business issues
- training
- design and marketing
- market research information
- energy and water efficiencies
You can contact the Invest NI Tourism Team on Tel 0800 181 4422 or email tourism@investni.com.
Other support organisations
You can also seek support from other organisations such as Tourism NI, your local council and local planning authorities. See legal and licensing help for new tourist accommodation businesses.
Business support networks
Business networks are of paramount importance, they will assist you in growing your business. You can keep up to date with the latest industry developments and learn best practices from your peers.
The following organisations are networks of accommodation, hospitality and tourism businesses:
- Northern Ireland Hotel's Federation
- Visit Belfast
- Visit Derry
- Visit Causeway Coast & Glens
- Fermanagh Lakelands
Additional support
Tourism NI offers a range of support for tourist accommodation businesses including:
- Northern Ireland marketed as a tourism destination via Tourism NI's consumer website Discover Northern Ireland.
- Access to industry events which includes roadshows, masterclasses, business insights and conferences
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/support-available-accommodation-businesses
Links
Start a tourist accommodation business
Starting a tourist accommodation business - Kribben Cottages (video)
Kribben Cottages explain how they started a four star self-catering accommodation business at the Mourne Mountains in County Down.
Kribben Cottages offer self-catering accommodation close to the Mourne Mountains in County Down. The cottages opened in 2014 and have achieved a four-star rating from Tourism NI. They have also received Green Tourism certification.
Myrtle Haugh, Property Manager at Kribben Cottages, highlights how they started the business. She explains how they got Tourism NI certification, including the grading process. Myrtle also discusses they found a niche in the market by researching tourism in Northern Ireland.
Case StudyMyrtle HaughContent category
Source URL
/content/starting-tourist-accommodation-business-kribben-cottages-video
Links
Quality assessment and star ratings for new accommodation businesses
In this guide:
- Start a tourist accommodation business
- The tourist economy in Northern Ireland
- Legal and licensing help for new tourist accommodation businesses
- Categories of accommodation business
- Certifying a new accommodation business
- Quality assessment and star ratings for new accommodation businesses
- Entrepreneurship for tourist accommodation providers
- Support available for accommodation businesses
- Starting a tourist accommodation business - Kribben Cottages (video)
The tourist economy in Northern Ireland
Key facts and figures about the tourism industry in Northern Ireland.
In 2019, tourism in Northern Ireland attracted 5.3 million visitors who spent £1 billion.
In the past number of years the Northern Ireland tourism industry has benefited from significant major events such as The Open at Royal Portrush in 2019.
Future opportunities will arise with the growing demand for screen tourism following the worldwide success of programmes like Game of Thrones and films such as Belfast.
Northern Ireland has also benefited from other significant tourism developments including the opening of new attractions such as the Game of Thrones studio tour.
Key statistics
Tourism statistics released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) for 2019 show:
- Overnight trips to Northern Ireland by external visitors were estimated to be 3 million.
- The growth in trips was largely driven by holidays, as there were 322,000 more holiday visitors compared with 2018. The closer to home markets (NI and ROI) increased by 17%, while holiday visitors from GB and Other Overseas grew by 7%.
- Domestic performance was strong, with NI residents taking more trips, notably holidays, in NI and spending more.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/tourist-economy-northern-ireland
Links
Legal and licensing help for new tourist accommodation businesses
You should be aware of the various legal considerations before starting up a tourist accommodation business, such as certification.
There are a number of legal considerations for tourist accommodation providers. You must comply with all relevant legislation, in particular the Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.
Several organisations exist that can offer advice and guidance that will assist you in starting a tourist accommodation business.
Tourism NI
The Tourism NI Quality and Standards Unit can help you with mandatory tourism accommodation certification guidance and complying with relevant laws.
Invest NI Tourism Team
The Invest NI Tourism Team can advise you on the commercial aspects of your development.
Financial assistance may be available to established businesses or to help develop new accommodation businesses.
You can contact the Invest NI Tourism Team on Tel 0800 181 4422 or email tourism@investni.com.
Planning authorities
You should also speak with your local planning office at the outset of the project to find out if you will encounter any planning problems. A clear understanding, at an early stage, of planning issues relating to your project may save you time and money.
Your local council
The tourism officers of your local council will have a detailed knowledge of the tourism situation in your local area and will be able to provide information about council schemes or upcoming events, activities and initiatives planned for your area. Find your local council in Northern Ireland.
Rural projects
From time to time the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) offers support for the development of rural tourism accommodation projects.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/legal-and-licensing-help-new-tourist-accommodation-businesses
Links
Categories of accommodation business
The eight accommodation categories in Northern Ireland including hotel, guesthouse, bed and breakfast and hostel.
Under the Tourism (NI) Order 1992, there are eight categories of accommodation. Each of these types of accommodation must be certified by Tourism NI.
What are the eight categories of tourism accommodation in Northern Ireland?
The different types of tourism accommodation include:
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment with a minimum of 15 double bedrooms (all of which must be en suite) that can provide breakfast, lunch, and an evening meal for guests.
Guesthouse
A guesthouse is an establishment with a minimum of three double bedrooms (all of which must be en suite) and can provide both breakfast and an evening meal.
Bed and breakfast (B&B)
A B&B offers overnight accommodation whilst also providing guests with a cooked breakfast. There is no requirement to provide an evening meal and only one guest bedroom is required.
Hostel
A hostel provides overnight budget accommodation for guests in shared rooms or dormitories. A hostel should have shared or en suite bathroom facilities, as well as a common kitchen and lounge area.
Self-catering
a self-catering unit is a self-contained apartment, house, cottage, etc which provides furnished accommodation for visitors including sleeping accommodation and catering facilities.
Bunk house/Camping barn
A bunk house or camping barn offers simple overnight shelter, often in remote locations with limited facilities and services.
Campus accommodation
Campus accommodation is provided by educational establishments for their students and made available to individuals, families or groups at certain times of the year, typically Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.
Guest accommodation
guest accommodation is primarily focused on the provision of en suite bedrooms, for example, restaurants and pubs that wish to provide accommodation for visitors.
Tourism NI offers start up guides for each of these categories. If you are an existing tourist accommodation provider and you wish to change your category, eg from a B&B to a guesthouse, you can apply online.
Developed withActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/categories-accommodation-business
Links
Certifying a new accommodation business
If you are starting up a new tourist accommodation business such as a hotel or bed and breakfast, you must apply to get certification from Tourism NI.
To offer tourist accommodation in Northern Ireland, you must have a certificate from Tourism NI. It is illegal to offer tourist accommodation without certification.
Planning permission
Before seeking certification it is important to ensure you have met planning guidelines if you have had to make any building adjustments to the premises you intend to use for your accommodation business. See local council contact details in Northern Ireland.
Certification
Certification is mandatory for most establishments offering visitor accommodation in Northern Ireland. You can apply online to be certified by Tourism NI.
A fee for the inspection is payable in advance for the first inspection. Statutory inspections then take place once every four years although Tourism NI can undertake an inspection at any time. The purpose of inspections is to ensure that the minimum requirements appropriate to the category continue to be met. If not, Tourism NI may add conditions to the certificate or revoke it.
A certification officer will conduct an inspection to determine if the premises can be allocated to the chosen category. If a certificate is issued, your premises becomes a Certified Tourist Establishment and you may start trading.
Developed withContent category
Source URL
/content/certifying-new-accommodation-business
Links
Quality assessment and star ratings for new accommodation businesses
Tourism NI runs a voluntary quality grading scheme for accommodation businesses – find out how to get your new business graded to boost your reputation.
Tourism NI runs a Quality Grading Scheme for accommodation businesses in Northern Ireland. Other UK National Tourist Boards and the AA also operate the scheme. This scheme is open to hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, guest accommodation, hostels and self-catering accommodation.
The scheme focuses on enhancing the visitor experience across all visitor touchpoints. In addition to providing a star rating which helps visitor decision making, the scheme also provides businesses with advice and support
Having a quality rating will give your premises credibility and visibility which is vital in today's competitive market.
Your business may receive up to five stars, based on a range of criteria, including cleanliness, presentation and service. Your business is rated by an assessor who in some instances will visit without making themselves known.
Please note that this scheme is voluntary, it is not a legal requirement and you are under no obligation to apply for quality grading.
Developed withAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/quality-assessment-and-star-ratings-new-accommodation-businesses
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Entrepreneurship for tourist accommodation providers
Accommodation providers can benefit from strategic planning and taking an entrepreneurial approach to running the business.
With the variety of choice available to consumers from hotels, B&B's, caravan parks, guest houses or self catering accommodation it is important that tourist accommodation businesses take an entrepreneurial approach to generate profits or grow.
Taking an entrepreneurial approach in the tourist accommodation industry could include exploiting opportunities presented by increased visitor numbers due to major events, festivals, tourist attractions or celebrations.
Potential investors in tourism accommodation should be careful that there is a sustainable demand for more accommodation - beyond one event or one year. As with any investment, investors should look for a reasonable return on investment. The investment should only be made when a real tourism market need has been identified and not just because a building or site has become available for development.
Entrepreneurship can be encouraged in business by being forward thinking, well organised, responsive to change and by encouraging staff to think outside the box. In addition to this businesses can cut out bureaucratic processes, simplify decision making, take a structured approach to financial management reward staff for new ideas and business improvement suggestions.
Factors to consider
When assessing options for entrepreneurial opportunities, consideration should be given to the following:
- current accommodation provision
- occupancy levels
- attractions and events
- research and trends
- strategic tourism policy
- pricing levels of competition
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Support available for accommodation businesses
Help, support and advice for tourist accommodation providers such as hotels and guesthouses, including Invest NI and Tourism NI.
There are a range of organisations who can provide support for tourist accommodation businesses.
Invest Northern Ireland Tourism Team
The Invest Northern Ireland (NI) Tourism Team can advise you on the commercial aspects of your tourism accommodation development.
Financial assistance may be available to established businesses or to help develop new accommodation businesses.
Invest NI may also offer a wide range of advice and guidance to tourism accommodation businesses including:-
- IT and e-business issues
- training
- design and marketing
- market research information
- energy and water efficiencies
You can contact the Invest NI Tourism Team on Tel 0800 181 4422 or email tourism@investni.com.
Other support organisations
You can also seek support from other organisations such as Tourism NI, your local council and local planning authorities. See legal and licensing help for new tourist accommodation businesses.
Business support networks
Business networks are of paramount importance, they will assist you in growing your business. You can keep up to date with the latest industry developments and learn best practices from your peers.
The following organisations are networks of accommodation, hospitality and tourism businesses:
- Northern Ireland Hotel's Federation
- Visit Belfast
- Visit Derry
- Visit Causeway Coast & Glens
- Fermanagh Lakelands
Additional support
Tourism NI offers a range of support for tourist accommodation businesses including:
- Northern Ireland marketed as a tourism destination via Tourism NI's consumer website Discover Northern Ireland.
- Access to industry events which includes roadshows, masterclasses, business insights and conferences
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Start a tourist accommodation business
Starting a tourist accommodation business - Kribben Cottages (video)
Kribben Cottages explain how they started a four star self-catering accommodation business at the Mourne Mountains in County Down.
Kribben Cottages offer self-catering accommodation close to the Mourne Mountains in County Down. The cottages opened in 2014 and have achieved a four-star rating from Tourism NI. They have also received Green Tourism certification.
Myrtle Haugh, Property Manager at Kribben Cottages, highlights how they started the business. She explains how they got Tourism NI certification, including the grading process. Myrtle also discusses they found a niche in the market by researching tourism in Northern Ireland.
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