**Executive Summary**
On June 22, 2026, the Ministry of Tourism held a high-level consultation in New Delhi to deliberate on reforms for enhancing the Ease of Doing Business within India's tourism and hospitality sector. Chaired by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the session focused on identifying regulatory bottlenecks and streamlining administrative processes to improve global competitiveness. Key action items include the transition to self-declaration assessments for hotel classification and the implementation of digital governance solutions like an "Entity Locker" for document verification.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Regulatory and Administrative Reforms**
* **Classification Simplification:** Proposed shift from inspection-based assessments to a self-declaration-based system for hotel classification.
* **License Delinking:** Highlighting the completed initiative of delinking licenses from the Ministry’s classification of hospitality units.
* **Compliance Reduction:** Reduction of checklist items and mandatory certification requirements in a time-bound manner to lower regulatory burdens.
* **Standardization:** Defining clear timelines for licenses and rationalizing taxation frameworks and visa processes.
**Digital Governance and Data Management**
* **Entity Locker:** Introduction of a digital "Entity Locker" to facilitate seamless sharing and verification of documents, reducing physical paperwork.
* **Tourism Database:** Proposal for the Ministry to maintain a comprehensive database of hotels, homestays, tour operators, and guides to support evidence-based policy formulation.
* **Digital Platforms:** Enhancement of visitor experiences through improved digital platforms for visa facilitation and travel convenience.
**Sectoral Growth and Infrastructure**
* **Emerging Segments:** Recognition and legitimization of homestays as a sub-sector, alongside live events, experiential tourism, and amusement parks.
* **Infrastructure Development:** Focus on developing tourism hubs and facilitating easier access to land for tourism projects.
* **Global Marketing:** Emphasis on enhanced destination marketing and the adoption of global best practices to increase international visibility.
**Impact Analysis**
**Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises**
**Impact**
Businesses will experience a significant reduction in compliance costs and administrative delays due to self-declaration models and streamlined clearance processes.
**Action Required**
Enterprises must prepare to transition to self-declaration systems and adopt digital document management tools as they are rolled out.
**Industry Associations (e.g., FAITH, FICCI, ASSOCHAM)**
**Impact**
These bodies gain a structured platform for continuous engagement, ensuring their recommendations on investment-friendly environments are integrated into government policy.
**Action Required**
Associations need to continue identifying regulatory bottlenecks and provide feedback on the implementation of the proposed reform agenda.
**State Governments and Line Ministries**
**Impact**
There is a pressing need for inter-departmental convergence to ensure the speedy implementation of reforms at the local and regional levels.
**Action Required**
States and UTs must onboard line ministries to define specific timelines for licenses and facilitate land access for new tourism infrastructure projects.
**International Visitors**
**Impact**
Travelers are expected to benefit from rationalized visa processes and improved digital service platforms, leading to a better overall visitor experience.
**Action Required**
None; this group is the primary beneficiary of improved connectivity and facilitation measures.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The primary government body responsible for organizing the industry consultation and spearheading reforms to improve the tourism ecosystem.
Ease of Doing Business (EoDB): The central initiative and policy focus aimed at reducing regulatory bottlenecks, streamlining approvals, and simplifying compliance for tourism enterprises.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The Union Minister for Tourism and Culture who chaired the high-level consultation and outlined the government's reform agenda.
Hotel classification system: A specific regulatory framework being reformed by shifting from inspection-based to self-declaration-based assessment to reduce compliance burdens.
Entity Locker: A proposed digital solution for the tourism and hospitality sector to facilitate seamless sharing and verification of documents.
Ministry of Tourism
Government Committed to Reforms to Make
India a Globally Competitive Tourism Destination:
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Ministry of Tourism Holds High-Level Industry Consultation
on Ease of Doing Business in Tourism and Hospitality Sector
प्रव तथ: 22 JUN 2026 6:55PM by PIB Delhi
An Interactive Session on Ease of Doing Business was organized by the Ministry of Tourism today in New
Delhi with the representatives of tourism and hospitality industry under the chairmanship of Shri Gajendra
Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture. The meeting brought together leading industry
associations, including FAITH, ASSOCHAM, PHDCCI, WTTCII, TGFI, ABTO, CII, IAAPI and FICCI,
to deliberate on reforms required to unlock the full growth potential of India's tourism ecosystem.
The Ministry of Tourism made a presentation on its reform agenda and highlighted several initiatives
already undertaken, including the delinking of licenses from the Ministry's classification of hospitality
units. The consultation provided a platform for industry stakeholders to present key concerns and
recommendations aimed at creating a more enabling, competitive and investment-friendly environment for
tourism and hospitality businesses across the country.Addressing the gathering, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasised the Government's commitment to
reforms and to making India a globally competitive tourism destination. He underlined the importance of
continuous engagement with industry stakeholders to identify regulatory bottlenecks and facilitate
sustainable sectoral growth through greater ease of doing business.
Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, highlighted the need for simplification of the hotel
classification system by shifting from inspection-based assessment to a self-declaration-based assessment,
reducing checklist items and mandatory certification requirements in a time-bound manner to reduce
regulatory burdens. These proposals were appreciated by industry representatives.
Participants emphasised the importance of maintaining a globally competitive business environment for
tourism enterprises. Discussions covered opportunities for rationalisation of visa processes and taxation
frameworks, facilitation of investments through simplified clearances, defining timelines for licenses,
onboarding line Ministries and States/UTs for speedy implementation of reforms, and development of
tourism infrastructure to support sustained sectoral growth. Industry stakeholders also highlighted the
importance of enhanced destination marketing and promotion to further elevate India's visibility in key
international markets.
The meeting witnessed extensive deliberations on improving the ease of setting up and operating tourism
businesses. Suggestions focused on streamlining approvals and clearances, reducing compliance burdens,
promoting digital governance solutions and encouraging greater convergence among regulatory
frameworks. Stakeholders appreciated the Government's ongoing efforts towards simplification and
recommended further measures to strengthen investor confidence and improve operational efficiency.Recognising the transformative role of technology in governance, participants discussed innovative digital
solutions, including the concept of an Entity Locker for the tourism and hospitality sector, which could
facilitate seamless sharing and verification of documents, reduce paperwork and enhance ease of
compliance.
The consultation also highlighted the growing importance of data-driven decision-making in tourism
planning and investment. Stakeholders underscored the value of reliable and predictable tourism data and
suggested that the Ministry of Tourism maintain a database of hotels, homestays, tour operators, guides
and other tourism stakeholders to strengthen the tourism data ecosystem and support evidence-based
policy formulation.
Participants also shared perspectives on enhancing the overall visitor experience through continued
improvements in visa facilitation, digital platforms, tourism services and travel convenience. Discussions
focused on strengthening India's tourism competitiveness through improved connectivity, visitor
facilitation measures and the adoption of global best practices.
Special attention was given to emerging growth segments such as live events, experiential tourism,
amusement parks and legitimising homestays as a sub-sector. Industry representatives highlighted the
significant potential of these segments to generate employment, stimulate local economies and diversify
India's tourism offerings. The need for supportive policy frameworks, balanced regulation and quality
standards was emphasised to enable sustainable growth in these sectors.
The consultation also explored opportunities for developing tourism hubs, facilitating access to land for
tourism projects, promoting innovation in tourism services and strengthening the overall investment
ecosystem. Stakeholders reiterated their commitment to partnering with the Government in advancing the
vision of a vibrant, resilient and globally competitive tourism sector.
The Ministry of Tourism welcomed the wide-ranging suggestions received during the deliberations and
reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with industry associations, State Governments and other
stakeholders to advance reforms that enhance the ease of doing business and support the long-term growth
of the tourism and hospitality sector.The consultation reflects the Government's continued focus on fostering a conducive business
environment, promoting investment and innovation, and positioning India as a leading global tourism
destination through continuous reforms.
*****
RK
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