Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism addresses the encouragement of homestay facilities in India to benefit tourists and pilgrims, including those in Uttarakhand. Homestays are classified into Gold and Silver categories. Financial assistance is available through Mudra Loans and the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan. The Ministry aims to enhance digital outreach via the Incredible India website.
Key Points / Main Content:
Homestay Classification and Standards:
* Homestay facilities are encouraged nationwide, including in Uttarakhand.
* Homestays are classified under two categories: Gold and Silver.
* Classification is based on guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism.
Financial Assistance and Training:
* Mudra Loans are available for setting up homestays.
* The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan supports homestay development in tribal areas, with assistance up to Rs. 5 Crore for 5-10 homestays per village in village clusters of 5-6 villages.
* The Scheme of Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP) offers education, training, and certification to homestay owners and other tourism service providers.
Digital Integration:
* The Ministry of Tourism aims to enhance digital outreach through the Incredible India website.
* Private online travel agencies (OTAs) offer booking facilities for homestays.
Impact Analysis:
Homestay Owners:
* Impact: Opportunity to receive financial assistance, training, and certification to improve their facilities and services.
* Action Required: Apply for Mudra Loans, participate in the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (if eligible), and enroll in the CBSP for training.
Tourists and Pilgrims:
* Impact: Increased availability of classified homestay options for accommodation and enhanced digital access to information and booking facilities.
* Action Required: Utilize the Incredible India website and private OTAs to find and book homestays.
State/UT Governments:
* Impact: Opportunity to improve socioeconomic conditions of tribal communities.
* Action Required: Avail assistance of a maximum of Rs. 5 Crore for 5-10 homestays per village in a village cluster of 5-6 villages, subject to eligibility as per the Guidelines issued.
Tourism Service Providers and Hospitality Sector:
* Impact: Access to education, training, and certification to upgrade manpower.
* Action Required: Participate in the Scheme of Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP) to enhance professional expertise.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and policies relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India.
SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT: Member of Parliament who posed the question regarding encouragement of homestay facilities.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who answered the question regarding homestay facilities.
Uttarakhand: A state in India, specifically mentioned in relation to homestay facilities.
Incredible India Bed Breakfast Establishments: A voluntary scheme of classification by the Ministry of Tourism for homestay facilities.
Mudra Loans: Collateral-free institutional credit announced in the Budget Announcement for 2025-26 to encourage setting up of homestays.
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan: Government approved scheme for improving the socioeconomic condition of tribal communities, which includes the development of 1000 homestays.
Scheme of Capacity Building for Service Providers CBSP: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism to provide education, training, and certification to tourism service providers, including homestay owners.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+144
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
ENCOURAGEMENT OF HOMESTAY FACILITIES
+144. SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether homestay facilities are being encouraged for the
convenience of tourists and pilgrims in various States of the country
including Uttarakhand along with the standards fixed at the national
level;
(b) whether homestay units have been classified in any manner, such as
economic, middle class or premium category;
(c) whether any special scheme is being run by the Government for
financial assistance, training or infrastructure for homestay owners,
especially in the hilly and remote areas, if so, the details thereof;
and
(d) whether the Government is considering to develop a 'National
Homestay Portal' to integrate homestays across the country, in
order to maintain transparency, similarly in booking facilities and
obtaining tourist experience for uploading such facilities in future?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) and (b): Yes. The Ministry of Tourism under its voluntary scheme of
classification of Incredible India Bed & Breakfast Establishments
classifies fully operational rooms of homestay facilities in the country,
including those located in the State of Uttarakhand. Homestays are
classified under two categories- Gold Category and Silver Category based
on the extant Guidelines issued by the Ministry.
(c): Yes. The Government of India has announced collateral free
institutional credit of Mudra Loans for Homestays in the Budget
Announcement for 2025-26 to assist and encourage setting up of
homestays across the country.Additionally, the Government approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya
Unnat Gram Abhiyan for improving the socio-economic condition of tribal
communities, and development of 1000 homestays is a part of the
scheme. The States/UTs can avail assistance of a maximum of Rs. 5 Crore
for 5-10 homestays per village in a village cluster of 5-6 villages, subject
to eligibility as per the Guidelines issued.
The Ministry of Tourism has put in place the Scheme of “Capacity Building
for Service Providers” (CBSP) to provide education, training and
certification to the tourism service providers and hospitality sector
including homestay owners, to up-grade manpower at every strata of
tourism industry in order to capitalize the vast tourism potential of the
country to the fullest, and provide professional expertise to the local
populace as well as create fresh opportunities in the tourism sector both
in urban as well as rural areas.
(d): The Ministry of Tourism through its Incredible India website aims to
enhance the digital outreach of the varied tourism offerings across the
country, transforming it into a one-stop digital information and service
platform that serves all hospitality, travel & tourism related needs of a
tourist.
The private players in the industry have launched various online portals or
OTAs which offer booking facilities, including booking of homestays.
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