In the context of this law, the following expressions and terms shall have the meanings indicated next to them.

The Minister refers to the Minister of Commerce and Industry.

The hotel is the place subject to the provisions of this law.

The administration refers to the Hotel Administration at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The guest is any person who stays at the hotel for the purpose of sleeping or resting for a monetary fee.

In the context of this law, the following expressions and terms shall have the meanings indicated next to them.

• The Minister    refers to the Minister of Commerce and Industry.

• The hotel   refers to the place subject to the provisions of this law.

• The administration   refers to the Hotel Administration at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• The guest   is any person who stays at the hotel for the purpose of sleeping or resting for a monetary fee.

A hotel is any establishment prepared to accommodate guests with or without food in exchange for a price, whether this establishment is a regular hotel or falls under the designation of one or more hotel institutions, as well as any other place that serves the same purposes.

No hotel may conduct its business without obtaining a license from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the license shall be issued by a decision of the Minister based on a recommendation from the administration.

The license to build the hotel is issued by the municipality of the city where it will be established, while the license to open it is granted by a permit from the Minister of Commerce and Industry or by those authorized by him from the directors of the branches of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in accordance with the executive regulations set by the administration, and a decision is issued by the Minister of Commerce and Industry approving it.

The waiver of the license to open the hotel to others is not permitted except with the approval of the Minister based on the proposal of the administration, and it is required that the transferee meets the conditions required under this law.

The license is displayed in a visible location in the hotel

The licensee must commence the construction of the hotel within a maximum period of one year from the issuance of the license, and the minister may extend the mentioned period for a maximum of six months. If construction is not initiated within the specified period or is halted thereafter for reasons not approved by the Hotels Administration, the license to open the hotel shall be revoked.

The Minister shall determine, by a regulation issued by him, the classifications of hotels and the conditions and specifications that must be met for each classification. He may also divide a single classification into two or three categories, specifying the necessary conditions and specifications for each category and the criteria for their classification.