FAQs

home Home > FAQs

General

  1. Click on Login.
  2. You will be redirected to the eKey page.
  3. Register a login if not registered.
  4. Choose a password
  5. Login using your CPR and password

Collection & Analysis

Yes. Establishments must submit an audited financial report by June 30 each year to verify reported figures.

No. The Hotel Levy and Hotel Accommodation Fee are collected from customers/guests and remitted to BTEA. They are not expenses and do not reduce the establishment’s net profit. The establishment acts as a collector, holding the amounts temporarily until payment to BTEA.

Yes. Supporting documents or explanations can be submitted for review by the Collection and Analysis Section.

For monthly reports, send an email requesting the application be sent back for correction.

After payment, adjustments cannot be made retroactively; they should be applied next quarter and the Collection and Analysis Section must be notified.

Once verified, the system shows “Received” and allows downloading an official payment receipt.

Yes. A one-month grace period applies after each quarter ends.

Yes. Submit a zero-revenue report for accurate tracking.

Annual revenue report

A signed Hotel Levy Return Form must be submitted by the payment deadline of each quarter.

Late submission may result in penalties, fines, or follow-up actions from the Collection and Analysis Section.

Create a closed application in the system to pause monthly reporting and levy payments. Once operations begin, reopen the application and ensure the authorized personnel are correctly assigned.

Take a screenshot of the error message and send it to the section via email Revenue@btea.bh for assistance.

Establishments should coordinate with the licensing section to ensure proper authorization. The Collection and Analysis Section cannot process reports or payments from unauthorized users.

To verify the revenue figures reported by the establishment for transparency and compliance.

All licensed tourism establishments (hotels, restaurants, furnished apartments): 5% Tourism Levy on total revenue

Hotels & hotel apartments only: additional BD 3 per unit, per night Hotel Accommodation Fee.

Electronic payment via the BTEA system

Direct bank transfer (proof of payment must be uploaded)

Payments are collected quarterly based on reported data.

Reports must be entered by the 7th day of the following month.

By June 30 each year.

All licensed tourism establishments (hotels, restaurants, furnished apartments) must submit monthly revenue data through the BTEA system.

The General Manager and Finance Manager must be correctly added and authorized in the system. They are responsible for submitting revenue reports and making levy payments through the web portal.

Revenue@btea.bh | (+973) 17558872


Licensing

Yes, applications can be submitted through the Sijilat website (Sijilat.bh). There are no licensing fees for exhibition activities. However, organizing tourism festivals requires a licensing fee of BHD 250.

(According to Resolution No. 1 of 2025 regarding the regulation of conferences and trade fairs)

No, you must complete the procedures for obtaining the tourism license before commencing operations.

No, tourism licenses must be renewed annually.

Yes, applicants for a tourism restaurant license may choose the appropriate classification or more than one classification, in accordance with Resolution No. 11 of 2024.

Applications are submitted through the (sijilat.bh) by attaching the required documents as specified on the Sijilat system then the application is automatically forwarded to the Authority.

License renewal applications are submitted through the Authority's portal (portal.btea.bh) using the Renewal service.

To apply for a tourism restaurant at a tourist site, submit the application through the Sijilat website (sijilat.bh).

The restaurant must be located within one of the designated tourist sites. You must also attach:

  • Copy of the property title deed
  • No objection letter from the property owner if the applicant is not the owner.

No documents are required for renewal for most activities. However, for marine cruise operations, the following documents must be attached:

  • Copy of the vessel inspection certificate (for at least one vessel).
  • Copy of the vessel insurance certificate.

No, the serving or sale of alcoholic beverages is not permitted at exhibitions, conferences, and festivals.

Yes. Resolution No. 3 of 2024 governs the classification of hotels and hotel apartments.

Each tourism license has activity-specific requirements, please refer to the Sijilat website (sijilat.bh) when submitting your application.

The commercial registration (CR) must be valid.

Tourism licensing fees are specified in Resolution No. 1 of 2018 regarding the fees for issuing and renewing tourism service licenses.

  • Block 338, Adliya
  • Blocks 257 and 258, Amwaj Islands
  • Block 364, Reef Island. Block 264, Marassi Bahrain, Diyar Al Muharraq
  • Blocks 346 and 428, Waterfront
  • Block 345, Juffair
  • Block 322, Manama

(According to Resolution No. 41 of 2021/ Resolution No. 38 of 2022/ Resolution No. 32 of 2023/ Resolution No. 12 of 2024 regarding the determination of tourist sites)

According to Resolution No. 93 of 2017, the necessary documents must be attached for operating marine cruises:

  • Copy of the vessel inspection certificate (for at least one vessel).
  • Copy of the vessel insurance certificate.

According to Resolution No. 36 of 2019, the necessary documents must be attached for a travel and tourism office license:

  • Copy of the manager's certificate from an IATA-approved course in travel or tourism.
  • Copy of the manager's experience certificate in the travel and tourism field.
  • Copies of the experience certificates of employees working in the travel or tourism field.

You may apply for license renewal no earlier than three months before the license expiry date.

You can obtain the tourism license after completing the inspection visit, connecting the establishment to the electronic statistics system, and paying the licensing fees.

You can obtain the tourism license for travel and tourism offices after completing the inspection visit and paying the licensing fees.

(Travel and tourism offices are exempt from tourism licensing fees).

You may conduct a trial (Soft) opening after the inspection visit has been completed and after obtaining the Civil Defense certificate. The trial opening period must not exceed three months.

  • Short-term accommodation activities
  • Food and beverage service activities - Restaurants for Tourist Services
  • Operation of Sea/Diving Tours - Operation of Sea/Diving Tours without Pearl Diving
  • Operation of Sea/Diving Tours - Operation of Sea/Diving Tours with Pearl Diving
  • Activities of amusement parks and theme parks
  • Travel office activities - Travel Agencies Office
  • Arranging and Assembling Tours
  • Tourism related consultancy
  • Organization of conventions, events, and trade shows - Offices for Organizing tourism festivals
  • Production of live theatrical presentations and other stage productions
  • Activities of head offices or Management Offices - Hospitality Management

Monitoring

Yes. Complaints can be submitted at any time through electronic channels. They will be processed once official working hours resume.

Additionally, field inspection teams operate 24/7.

Yes. All regulations and decisions are available on the official BTEA website under the “Laws & Regulations” section: www.btea.bh

Yes. Such cases can be reported through the same communication channels, and all reports will be handled with full confidentiality.

Yes. The Directorate carries out both scheduled and surprise inspections to ensure establishments adhere to all tourism standards and requirements.

Yes. Regular field inspections are conducted to ensure establishments comply with tourism quality and safety standards and that their services align with their classification.

Complaints can be submitted through any of the following channels:

  • The National Suggestions & Complaints System “Tawasul”
  • Email: inspection@btea.bh
  • Direct contact by phone or WhatsApp at 17558873

Yes. The invoice must clearly include:

a) Value Added Tax (VAT)

b) Tourism Service Levy

c) For short-term rentals: Accommodation Fee

d) For tourism restaurants: Service Charge

Appropriate legal measures are taken in accordance with the applicable ministerial decisions.

The invoice must be fully generated electronically using approved accounting systems, clearly showing all applicable fees.

Any handwritten or manually issued invoice is considered a violation of tourism regulations.

Official working hours are from Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Field inspection teams operate around the clock.

It is a fixed fee of BHD 3 per night for each occupied accommodation unit in tourism establishments.

The legally approved percentage is 5% of the total hotel service provided by tourism establishments, and it must be remitted to BTEA according to the prescribed procedures.

The Directorate oversees all tourism establishments and ensures their compliance with approved laws and regulatory decisions. It also follows up on complaints and violations to maintain service quality across the sector.