Tourism Authority licensing
Restaurant, Hotel & Tourism Setup in Mauritius
Hospitality is one of the most regulated sectors here. Premises and licensing drive the timeline, not incorporation.
GCC business setup specialists
Licensed by sector, and by premises
A tourist enterprise licence from the Tourism Authority, a building and land use permit from the local authority, health and food safety clearance and an alcohol licence are separate approvals with separate conditions. Add the restrictions on non-citizen property acquisition and the premises question becomes the whole project.
- Full licence and permit map before you sign a lease
- Property restrictions for non-citizens explained early
- Realistic sequencing, not optimistic dates
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Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
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Companies successfully established.
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What you need
Approvals for a hospitality business
Each has its own conditions and timeline.
| Approval | Issued by | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist enterprise licence | Tourism Authority | Hotels, restaurants and tourism services |
| Building and land use permit | Local authority | Premises use and any works |
| Health and food safety | Relevant authority | Food handling premises |
| Alcohol licence | Revenue authority | Serving or selling alcohol |
| Fire safety clearance | Fire services | Public premises |
| Property authorisation | Prescribed authority | Where non-citizens acquire property |
Tourism licensing, premises permits and non-citizen property rules change and are applied strictly. Yours are checked for your specific concept and site. A Global Business Company must be administered by a management company licensed by the Financial Services Commission, and an Authorised Company must have a licensed registered agent. That is a statutory requirement in Mauritius. We co-ordinate your engagement with a licensed Mauritian management company and manage the process end to end; the regulated filings are made by them.
How it works
From concept to opening
Premises first, because premises gate everything.
01
Concept and site
What you are opening, the premises required, and whether the site can lawfully be used and acquired for it.
02
Licences and permits
Company established, tourist enterprise licence pursued and premises permits and clearances worked through in sequence.
03
Open and operate
Alcohol licence where needed, employer registrations and payroll established and VAT and accounting running.
To plan this
What we need to know
The site and the concept determine everything else.
- The concept and its scale
- Rooms or covers planned
- Site identified, and whether owned or leased
- Whether a non-citizen will acquire property
- Whether alcohol will be served
- Food offering and preparation on site
- Any works or change of use required
- Entertainment or live music planned
- Workforce numbers and nationalities
- Investment quantum
- Target opening date
- Whether the site has prior licensed use
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Licence and permit map for your concept
- Company incorporation
- Tourist enterprise licence application support
- Building and land use permit co-ordination
- Health and fire clearance co-ordination
- Alcohol licence application support
- Employer registrations and payroll set up
- VAT registration and accounting
Not included, quoted separately
- Government and licence fees, paid at cost
- Property purchase or lease costs
- Property acquisition authorisation fees
- Architectural design and construction
- Fit-out, kitchen and equipment
- Food safety training programmes
- Marketing and booking platforms
- Regulated filings, made by the licensed management company
Verify independently
Official Mauritian authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Corporate and Business Registration DepartmentFinancial Services CommissionMauritius Revenue AuthorityEconomic Development BoardMinistry of Labour and Industrial RelationsTourism Authority
Questions
Mauritius hospitality setup — FAQs
What licence does a restaurant need?
A tourist enterprise licence from the Tourism Authority, plus premises permits, health clearance and an alcohol licence if alcohol is served.
Can a foreigner buy a hotel property?
Property acquisition by non-citizens is restricted and requires authorisation, with specific schemes for certain developments. This needs settling before you commit.
How long before I can open?
Longer than most people expect. Premises permits and licensing drive the timeline, and works add to it. We give a realistic view.
Should I sign the lease first?
No. Confirm the site can lawfully be used for your concept before committing. This is the most expensive mistake in this sector.
Is an alcohol licence separate?
Yes, with its own application and conditions. It is not part of the tourism licence.
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