Tourism & Hospitality License Requirements in Kenya & Licencing Body
Summary of Requirements and Contacts
Licensing Body: Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA)
Contact Information:
- Address: Utalii House, 5th Floor, Utalii Lane, off Uhuru Highway, P.O. Box 25357-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
- Telephone: +254 701 444 777
- Email: info@tra.go.ke
- Website: https://trims.tourismauthority.go.ke
- Application Fee: KES 1,000 for new applicants
- License Validity: Expires December 31st annually
- Payment Account: KCB Bank, University Way Branch, Account Name: Tourism Regulatory Authority, Account Number: 1178921034
Key Requirements (General):
- Certificate of incorporation/business registration
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- KRA PIN certificate and Tax Compliance Certificate
- Business permit from county government
- Entry/work permits for non-Kenyans
- Lease agreement or title deed for premises
- Professional certificates (category-specific)
- Completed application form via TRIMS portal
Regulatory Framework
The Tourism Act, 2011 and Tourism Regulatory Authority Regulations 2014 mandate that all tourism-related activities and services, including cottages and private residences offering guest house services, must be licensed by TRA. Any person carrying out a tourism business or service specified in the Ninth Schedule must obtain a license from TRA, with licenses requiring renewal three months before expiry. Penalties for violations include fines of up to KES 100,000 or imprisonment, while a penalty of 10% of the license fee applies for every month's delay in renewing a license.
The regulatory framework ensures customer satisfaction and maintains Kenya's competitiveness as a tourist destination by enforcing minimum standards across all tourism products and services. Licensing serves as a deterrent to unscrupulous businessmen through punitive measures against those who contravene laws, while ensuring that only qualified personnel with high levels of professionalism and integrity are engaged in the industry.
License Categories
Tourism licenses in Kenya are divided into various classes covering accommodation facilities, restaurants, food and beverage service providers, tour operators, travel agencies, balloon operators, local air charters, tourist service vehicle hire, water sports and boat excursions providers, game fishing outfitters, enterprises offering camps and camping equipment for hire, nature parks, nature reserves, nature trails, game ranches, amusement parks, non-citizen tour leaders/guides, general vendors and beach operators, entertainment facilities, conference and events services, and tourism and hospitality training institutions.
Each category has specific requirements and standards that must be met before licensing. Class A enterprises include accommodation facilities with varying license fee clusters. Class B covers restaurants and other food and beverage services, while Class C encompasses tour operators, travel agencies, and various transport-related tourism services. Class D includes specialized activities such as game fishing and nature-based tourism, with license fees typically around KES 6,000 to 9,000 depending on the category.
Application Process
The licensing process is conducted entirely through the TRIMS Self Service Portal. Applicants must first register on the portal by creating an account, then register their business entity with TRA by completing the Entity Registration Form and uploading all required documents. Following entity registration, applicants populate the License Application Form with accurate information and upload necessary documentation before submitting for verification.
Upon receipt of the application, TRA registration officers verify submitted documents and conduct facility inspections where required. The inspection process ensures compliance with operational standards and minimum requirements for the specific license category. Once verification is complete and all conditions are met, TRA issues the Tourism Enterprise License via email to the address used during portal registration.
Documentation Requirements
Common documents required across most categories include the certificate of incorporation or business registration, memorandum and articles of association for companies, KRA PIN certificate with current tax compliance certificate, and county government business permits. Proof of premises ownership through lease agreements or title deeds is mandatory, along with entry permits and affidavits for non-Kenyan directors or employees.
Category-specific requirements include professional certificates for travel agency staff in ticketing and airline reservation systems, vehicle ownership documents and inspection reports for tour operators, and pilot licenses with flying hours for air charter operators. Non-citizen tour leaders and guides must provide current certificates of good conduct, letters of reference, professional certificates, and copies of current entry permits and passports.
Compliance and Renewal
TRA officers regularly inspect tourism facilities and services where non-compliance is suspected or for purposes of granting or renewing a license. License holders must maintain operational standards throughout the validity period and display their licenses prominently at business premises. Compliance includes maintaining qualified staff, adhering to safety standards, and ensuring quality service delivery.
Annual renewal is mandatory, with the licensing window typically opening in early December for the following year. Late renewals attract cumulative penalties of 10% of the license fee for each month delayed. Operators must ensure all supporting documents, particularly tax compliance certificates and business permits, remain current as TRA considers these when approving renewals. Failure to renew or operate without a valid license constitutes an offense under the Tourism Act and may result in prosecution and business closure.
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