Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu introduced a new home stay registration portal, http://homestay.hp.gov.in, to streamline administrative procedures. The online platform enables operators to register conveniently from their homes, emphasizing user-friendliness. Sukhu assured support to hotel and home stay owners by ensuring a smooth registration process without unnecessary delays.
In a supportive gesture towards the hospitality sector, the Chief Minister directed that home stay registrations should not be delayed due to Fire Department NOCs. He instructed the Tourism Department to provide provisional registrations to prevent operational disruptions. Sukhu highlighted the state’s tourism potential, with the Home Stay Scheme aiming to boost self-employment opportunities.
The initiative seeks to enhance rural tourism and attract visitors to lesser-known destinations in Himachal Pradesh. The scheme’s expansion to urban areas now allows registration of homestays with up to six rooms. Sukhu emphasized the unique appeal of home stays, offering tourists an authentic experience through local architecture and cuisine. Traditional dishes not only enhance the tourist experience but also increase local homeowners’ income.
To further support the sector, the Chief Minister announced an interest subsidy scheme to aid in establishing, expanding, or upgrading tourism units. The state provides interest subsidies of three percent in urban areas, four percent in rural areas, and five percent in tribal regions on term loans.
