Context:

The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has reported a significant rise in interest for starting homestays, following the rollout of the new Bed & Breakfast and Homestay Policy 2025.

More on News:

  • Since the policy’s launch earlier this month, more than 743 homestays and 30 agro-farm stays have been registered statewide.
  •  The strongest growth was seen in major tourist hubs such as Agra, Mathura, Vrindavan, and Prayagraj, emphasizing that the policy-driven approach will help diversify Uttar Pradesh’s accommodation options while improving service quality across the sector.
  • According to the policy guidelines, only homeowners are eligible to apply, ensuring that these remain non-commercial establishments.
  • Hotels and guest houses are not covered under this scheme.
  • Homeowners are permitted to offer up to six rooms or two-thirds of their residential property for tourist accommodation.
  • To manage the implementation, a five-member committee led by the District Magistrate has been established in each district.
  • This committee is responsible for overseeing the registration process, conducting inspections, and making recommendations for subsidies.
  • To further support homestay owners, the state government is offering financial reimbursements—up to Rs 1 lakh for participation in domestic tourism events and up to Rs 3 lakh for attending international travel fairs and roadshows.
  • These incentives aim to help small-scale local operators access broader markets and develop sustainable tourism enterprises.

About

  • The Uttar Pradesh Government has approved the ‘Bed and Breakfast (B&B) and Homestay Policy – 2025’ to ensure affordable and convenient accommodation for pilgrims and tourists visiting religious and tourist sites in the state.
  • The policy aims to address the shortage of hotel accommodations and growing crowd at tourist destinations by enabling locals to offer homestay facilities.
  • This initiative will not only provide accommodation but also create new income opportunities for local residents.
  • It is expected to boost tourism, housing infrastructure, rural income, and industrial development.
  • The policy seeks to promote community-based tourism and decentralized employment generation.
  • Key Features of the Policy:
  • Application fees for homestays:
  • Rural areas: ₹500 to ₹750
  • Urban areas and Silver category: ₹2,000 to ₹3,500
  • Any local resident near religious or tourist sites can register homestay units with 1 to 6 rooms (maximum 12 beds).
  • Tourists can avail the facility for up to 7 consecutive days, with possible renewal if needed.
  • Registration and approval will be overseen by a District-level committee headed by the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police.
  • Earlier, due to the absence of a dedicated state policy, operators had to register via the Government of India’s NIDHI+ portal. Now, with this policy, obtaining a local No-Objection Certificate (NOC) will simplify the process.
  • The policy also includes financial assistance and incentives to encourage citizens to convert part of their homes for tourism purposes.
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