The Scheme for Approval and Registration of Incredible India Bed and Breakfast/Homestay Establishments of the Ministry of Tourism is voluntary in nature. The main objective of the scheme is to provide a clean and affordable place for foreigners and domestic tourists alike including an opportunity for foreign tourists to stay with an Indian family to experience Indian customs and traditions and relish authentic Indian cuisine.  The scheme’s salient features are:

(i)      The classification for Approval and Registration of Incredible India Bed and Breakfast/Homestay Establishments will be given only in those cases where the owner/promoter of the establishment along with his/her family is physically residing in the same establishment and letting out minimum one room and maximum six rooms (12 beds).

(ii)     The scheme will be on bed and breakfast basis and charges will have to be levied accordingly.

(iii)    Classification will be valid for two years from the date of issue of orders.

(iv)    The quality of facilities and services of the Bed and Breakfast/Homestay Establishment will be inspected and evaluated by the Regional Classification Committee.

(v)     Two categories of classification namely,   ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’ are given under the scheme.

The detailed scheme guidelines are available on the Ministry of Tourism’s website www.tourism.gov.in.

The number of units under the scheme for Approval and Registration of Incredible India Bed and Breakfast/Homestay Establishments, approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is as follows:

Some State Governments also have their own schemes for approval of Bed and Breakfast Establishments.

            With a view to propagate and promote the Scheme for Approval and Registration of Incredible India Bed and Breakfast/Homestay Establishments, the 05 Regional Offices of India Tourism at New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Guwahati alongwith the respective State and Union Territory Governments conducted workshops in their region.

            There is no provision to grant financial assistance under the Scheme for Approval and Registration of Incredible India Bed and Breakfast/Homestay Establishments of the Ministry of Tourism.  

This information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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Sanjay Kumar/jk/Tourism/RS-7/16-03-2016