Travel is one of the industries Dubai has built its modern identity around. The Emirate sits at the geographic centre of a flight map connecting Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, making it both a destination and a transit point for a significant share of global air traffic. 

With world-class hospitality infrastructure, a strategic geographic position, and a government committed to growing tourism as a pillar of the economy, the UAE offers exceptional conditions for travel agency businesses. For travel agency businesses, that position is a commercial asset, the access to inbound tourism, outbound leisure and corporate travel, and a regional client base spanning the Gulf and beyond, all from a single licensed entity. 

This guide covers the activity codes, license costs, and setup process for starting a travel agency at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone, including the tourism licensing requirements that sit alongside your trade license.  

What Can You Legally Offer Under a Travel Agency License? 

A travel agency license allows your business to arrange and sell travel-related services to individuals and corporate clients. Flight bookings, hotel reservations, holiday packages, cruise bookings, car rentals, visa assistance, travel insurance, and corporate travel management all fall within scope. 

Multiple tourism and travel activity codes can be combined under one license, making it possible to run a full-service agency from a single entity. For related professional service structures, see the consultancy license activity hub page. 

Travel Agency Business Activity Codes at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone 

The following activity codes are applicable to travel agency businesses: 

• 630402 — Travel Agency (requires pre-approval from Dubai Civil Aviation Authority) 

• 7990.01 — Provision of Other Travel-Related Reservation Services, Including Reservations for Transportation, Hotels, Restaurants, Car Rentals, Entertainment and Sport Etc. 

• 7990.05 — Tourism Promotion Activities 

• 7020.94 — Tourism and Recreation Consultants 

To explore all available tourism and travel activity codes, visit the business activities page.

Pricing Out Your Travel Agency Setup 

Base licensing at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone is AED 12,500, covering your company registration, flexi-desk, and up to five business activities. Travel agencies combining multiple service categories, inbound tourism, corporate travel management, and reservation services for example, can add further codes at AED 2,000 each beyond the first five. 

Factor in the tourism license from DET as a separate cost that sits outside your free zone license fee. Beyond that, visa requirements and additional services determine where your total lands. The cost calculator gives you an itemised breakdown specific to your configuration before anything is confirmed. 

Your Company Name Is the First Decision 

Before you apply for anything, confirm your company name is available. In travel, your agency name is client-facing from the moment you start selling. The company name check tool at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone lets you verify availability and UAE naming compliance in minutes, before your application is submitted and before the name appears anywhere it cannot be changed. 

Setting Up Your Travel Agency at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone 

Free zone registration is fully digital and requires no visit to Dubai at any stage. Eligible applicants can typically receive their trade license in as little as one business day by submitting a passport copy. The DET tourism license runs as a separate process and should be factored into your overall timeline: 

1. Submit your application and select your travel agency activity codes 

2. Choose your workspace arrangement and visa requirements 

3. Receive your cost estimate and confirm payment 

4. Receive your trade license documentation digitally 

5. Proceed with your DET tourism licence application 

Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone offers full foreign ownership, no requirement for a local sponsor, no paid-up capital, and complete profit repatriation within a tax-efficient UAE free zone structure. 

If you want your agency up and running quickly, explore same-day licensing. 

Do Travel Agencies in Dubai Need a Tourism License from DTCM? 

Travel agencies and tour operators in Dubai are required to obtain a tourism license from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or Dubai Tourism, in addition to their free zone trade license. This tourism license is mandatory for legally selling travel products and packages to consumers in Dubai. Confirm the specific requirements with the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone team before you begin operations. 

What Makes Dubai a Strong Location for a Travel Agency Business? 

Dubai welcomed over 17 million international visitors in recent years and continues to grow as a global tourism destination.  

The structural advantages here are hard to replicate elsewhere. Al Maktoum International Airport and Dubai International together give the Emirate some of the most extensive global air connectivity of any city in the world, which matters for travel agencies building supplier relationships with airlines, hotels, and destination partners. The resident population is internationally mobile and high-spending on leisure and corporate travel.  

Inbound tourism continues to grow as Dubai positions itself as a year-round destination. And for agencies with a regional remit, Dubai's location puts GCC, East Africa, South Asia, and the Levant all within short-haul reach. With zero personal income tax and full foreign ownership, the operating environment matches the commercial opportunity. 

With 100% foreign ownership, zero personal income tax, and access to one of the world's most connected airports, Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone is an excellent base for travel and tourism entrepreneurs. To get started today, visit the start your business page. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What license do I need to start a travel agency in Dubai? 

A free zone trade license with travel agency activity codes is available from AED 12,500 at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone, and a separate tourism license from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Both are required before you begin selling to consumers. 

Do travel agencies in Dubai need a DTCM tourism license? 

Yes. Travel agencies and tour operators selling packages or services to consumers in Dubai are required to obtain a tourism license from the relevant authority, in addition to their trade license. 

Can I run an online travel agency from a Dubai free zone? 

Yes. Many travel agencies operate online, selling packages and bookings through websites and apps. A flexi-desk arrangement is suitable for digital-first travel businesses. 

What is the minimum cost to set up a travel agency in Dubai? 

Free zone licensing starts from AED 12,500 at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. Factor in the DET tourism license as a separate cost. Your total will also vary based on visa requirements and any additional services selected. 

Can a foreigner own 100% of a travel agency in Dubai? 

Yes. Dubai free zones allow full foreign ownership with no UAE national sponsor required. 

Can a free zone travel agency sell packages to UAE mainland clients? 

Yes. Free zone companies can sell travel services to clients across the UAE, subject to holding the required tourism license from the relevant authority. 

What documents are required to set up a travel agency in Dubai? 

Typically, passport copies for all shareholders and directors, proof of address, your selected business activities, and a proposed company name. 

Can I combine inbound and outbound tourism services under one license? 

Yes. Multiple tourism and travel activity codes can be combined under one license. The first five activities are included at no additional cost. 

How many visas can a travel agency get with a Dubai free zone license?

The number of visas depends on your workspace arrangement. Contact the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone team to discuss your specific visa requirements. 

How long does it take to get a travel agency license in Dubai? 

The free zone trade license process is fully digital and eligible applicants can typically receive their license in as little as one business day by submitting a passport copy. The DET tourism license runs as a separate process with its own timeline.