Lok Sabha Question No. 144 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-21
Subject: Encouragement of Homestay facilities
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat

## 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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