The Bed and Breakfast Scheme is one of the strategies of tourism. The scheme, besides promoting tourism, helps residents who are either property owners to increase their supplementary earnings or would like to rent a room while abroad. With an affordable rate, tourists experience comfortable accommodation supplemented by hospitality. Either as an owner who desires to host, or as a guest seeking to experience homeliness in a destination, the Bed and Breakfast Scheme has much more in store.
The Bed and Breakfast Scheme targets homeowners to enable them to avail part of their homes for guests. This hosts offer overnight stay but include breakfast too. The client gets an appropriate home atmosphere yet experiences the area’s culture, customs, among others.
Bed and Breakfast scheme is more especially beneficial in a place that hardly has any single hotel room left. It leads to a factor of driving a rural and city tourism.
Table of Contents
Objectives of the Bed and Breakfast Scheme
The scheme is organized around the following objectives:
- Boost Tourism: Relieve the shortage of accommodations in areas that are usually visited by tourists.
- Cultural Exchange: Offer tourists the possibility to experience real local traditions and food.
- Empower Locals: Give house owners the opportunity to earn supplementary income.
- Boost Rural Tourism: Encourage travelers to visit less touristy places.
- Affordable Accommodation: Offer budget-friendly accommodations for travelers.
Eligibility Criteria for Hosts
To participate in the Bed and Breakfast Scheme, hosts need to meet specific criteria:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Residence Requirement | The host and their family must reside in the property being offered. |
| Rooms Available | Minimum of one room and maximum of six rooms (12 beds) for guests. |
| Hygiene Standards | Ensuring cleanliness and maintaining basic safety measures. |
| Registration | Hosts must register with local or national tourism authorities. |
| Services Offered | Hosts must provide a clean and welcoming environment with quality breakfast. |
Categorization of B&B Properties
The Incredible India Bed & Breakfast/Homestay Establishments under the Government of India are categorized into two types:
Silver: Basic facilities, including clean and pleasant accommodations.
Gold: Enhanced facilities and superior standards of service.
Registration Process for the Bed and Breakfast Scheme
- Step 1: Understand Local Guidelines
Study the regional tourism authority rules and requirements to register your B&B. - Step 2: Application Submission
You will submit an application form with supporting documents, such as proof of residence, property details, and photographs. - Step 3: Inspection
A classification committee will inspect your property for assessing facilities and standards. - Step 4: Approval and Classification
Your property will be categorized, either Silver or Gold, after the inspection. - Step 5: Listing and Promotion
Official tourism directories list approved properties and market them to travelers.
Where to Apply for the Bed and Breakfast Scheme
Application for Bed and Breakfast Scheme needs to be accompanied by relevant documents and filed in the relevant regional tourism office. Here below are the addresses of all the regional offices spread over India, with their telephone numbers and operational areas:
Regional Offices and Contact Details
| Region | Office Address | States/UTs Covered | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Regional Director, Indiatourism, 88 Janpath, New Delhi – 110001 | Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, NCT Delhi, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh (excluding Agra and Varanasi) | Tel: 011-23320005, Email: goitodelhi@nic.in |
| West | Regional Director, Indiatourism, 123 M. Karve Road, Mumbai – 400020 | Gujarat, Maharashtra (excluding Aurangabad), Chhattisgarh, Daman & Diu, Dadra Nagar Haveli | Tel: 022-22033144, Email: indiatourism-mum@nic.in |
| South | Regional Director, Indiatourism, 154 Anna Salai, Chennai – 600002 | Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep | Tel: 044-28461459, Email: indiatourismchennai@gmail.com |
| East | Regional Director, Indiatourism, “Embassy,” 4 Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata – 700071 | West Bengal, Jharkhand | Tel: 033-22821475, Email: indtour6100@dataone.in |
| North-East | Regional Director, Indiatourism, Guwahati, Assam Paryatan Bhawan, A.K. Azad Road, Paltan Bazar, Guwahati – 781008 | Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya | Tel: 0361-2737554, Email: indtourguwahati@nic.in |
| Karnataka | Director, Indiatourism, KFC Building, 48 Church Street, Bangalore – 560001 | Karnataka | Tel: 080-25585417, Email: indtourblr@dataone.in |
| Rajasthan | Director, Indiatourism, State Hotel, Khasa Kothi, Jaipur – 302001 | Rajasthan | Tel: 0141-2372200, Email: indtourjpr-rj@nic.in |
| Agra (Uttar Pradesh) | Manager, Indiatourism, 191, The Mall, Agra – 282001 | Agra | Tel: 0562-2226378, Email: indiatourismagra@gmail.com |
| Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) | Manager, Indiatourism, 15-B, The Mall, Varanasi – 221001 | Varanasi | Tel: 0542-2501784, Email: indtourvns@sify.com |
| Bhubaneswar | Asst. Director, Indiatourism, Paryatan Bhawan, 2nd Floor, Lewis Road, Bhubaneswar | Odisha | Tel: 0674-2432203, Email: itobbs@ori.nic.in |
| Aurangabad | Manager, Indiatourism, MTDC Holiday Resort, Station Road, Aurangabad – 431005 | Aurangabad | Tel: 0240-2331217, Email: indigtourism.ixu@gmail.com |
| Kerala | Manager, Indiatourism, Willingdon Island, Kochi – 682009 | Kerala | Tel: 0484-2669125, Email: indiatourismkochi@gmail.com |
| Goa | Manager, Indiatourism, Communidate Building, Church Square, Panaji – 403001 | Goa | Tel: 0832-2223412, Email: bharatparyatangoa@gmail.com |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Manager, Indiatourism, VIP Road, Port Blair – 744103 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Tel: 03192-236348, Email: indiatourismpb@gmail.com |
Key Characteristics of the Bed and Breakfast Scheme
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Accommodation Type | Private rooms in residential homes |
| Hospitality Services | Bed, breakfast, basic amenities, and personalized experiences |
| Host Requirements | Homeowners residing on the premises |
| Tourist Benefits | Affordable stays, cultural immersion, and local insights |
| Host Benefits | Additional income, cultural interaction, and flexible hosting schedules |
Submission Procedures
- Ready Your Documents: Collect all the necessary documents, which include proof of residence, photographs of the property, and identity proof.
- Visit the Office or Mail Application: You can either visit the nearest tourism office or mail your application along with a demand draft of the applicable fee.
- Follow-Up: Keep in touch with the office for updates on your application and inspection schedule.
A Bed and Breakfast Scheme registration would therefore be achieved easily by simply applying to the proper regional office.
Documents Needed for Registration
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Proof of Residence | To verify that the host resides in the property. |
| Property Photographs | To showcase the accommodation’s facilities. |
| Identity Proof | For identification and registration purposes. |
| Safety Compliance Certificate | To ensure the property meets safety standards. |
Advantages of the Bed and Breakfast Scheme
For Hosts
- Income Generation: Sell unused rooms and make extra money.
- Cultural Exchange: Interact with travelers and learn about their backgrounds.
- Low Investment: The setup costs are relatively low compared to running a full-scale hotel.
For Guests
- Affordable Stays: Budget-friendly accommodations compared to traditional hotels.
- Local Experiences: Enjoy authentic local cuisine, customs, and traditions.
- Personalized Service: Receive personal advice and experience a warm homely stay.
Guidelines to Hosts
- Transparency Charges: Quote exact accommodation and breakfast charges without giving rise to claims.
- High Quality Standards: Accommodation has to be spotless and so with hospitality
- Grievance Redressal: Engage guests for a redressal of complaints towards bettering service
- Legal and Tax Compliances: Must comply strictly in all statutory, tax-related regulations.
Challenges in Operationalising the Scheme
- The benefits are many. Nevertheless, it encounters several operational hurdles:
- Lengthy registration procedure; inspection hassles.
- Marketing Gaps: The tourists are not aware of the registered properties.
- Consistency Issues: Uniformity in all B&B establishments.
How the Scheme Benefits Tourism in India
The Bed and Breakfast Scheme is an important initiative for Incredible India to promote the authentic experience for the tourists. It fills the gap between demand and supply in the hospitality sector, especially in remote areas, while economically empowering local communities.
FAQs About the Bed and Breakfast Scheme
1Q. What is the Bed and Breakfast Scheme?
The Bed and Breakfast Scheme enables homeowners to let spare rooms in their home to visitors; it offers an affordable, personalized accommodation.
2Q. Who is eligible to apply for this scheme?
Homeowners occupying the property who have at least one spare room can apply for this scheme.
3Q. How do I register for the scheme?
Registration entails submitting an application to the local or national tourism authority, followed by an inspection of your property.
4Q. What are the benefits for guests?
Guests get affordable stays, cultural immersion, and personalized hospitality.
5Q. Is there any tax?
Yes, hosts have to abide by local taxation laws and pay applicable property, water, and electricity taxes.
6Q. How much does registration cost?
The registration price for properties in the Silver category is INR 3,000, while the fee for properties in the Gold category is INR 5,000.
7Q. What are the benefits for guests?
Affordable stays, local hospitality, and cultural immersion.
8Q. How can I improve my chances of approval?
Maintain high standards of cleanliness, safety, and hospitality during inspections.