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The best way to experience the picturesque beauty of the Himalayas is to visit Uttarakhand, a state in India that lies in the lap of the Himalayas. And the best way to take home some precious memories is to stay in a homestay. A lot of people know that already and hence making homestays a popular accommodation. Read: WHY ARE HOMESTAYS MORE POPULAR? This has encouraged more people especially the people from rural areas to start their own homestay business. But they don’t know how to do it? So here we are with this blog on how to start a homestay business in Uttarakhand to help you out.
Embraced with the presence of various important pilgrimages and beautiful hill stations, this palace is a major attraction for pilgrimages, adventurers and travellers from all around the globe. Nainital , Ranikhet , Almora , Mussoorie and Dehradun are some of the major attractions. Nanda devi national park and Valley of Flowers National park were also inscribed as the world heritage site by UNESCO. Not only that Uttarakhand also has Auli for ski adventures and Rishikesh which emerged as the yoga capital of India and for River rafting sports.
WHAT IS A HOMESTAY?
A homestay is simply a type of accommodation similar to that of bed and breakfast. The host family rents out one or two spare rooms and welcomes the guests warmly. Sometimes the meals are also provided and sometimes they offer you a private kitchen. Homestays are affordable and give you a cozy feel. Mostly the homestays are situated in rural areas so they offer plenty of greenery and breathtaking sceneries. If you wish to know more about homestays then read: What is Homestay | All About Homestay Business
HOW TO START A HOMESTAY BUSINESS IN UTTARAKHAND?
There are a few general steps that one should follow to start a homestay anywhere. However the procedure of registration and acquiring various permits and licenses is different in different places. The general outline to start a homestay is common.
- Renovate your spare rooms to make it appealing and suitable for accommodation purposes.
- Make sure to include the basic amenities like electricity, water supply, internet access and others to your homestay.
- Get the registration done.
- Take the help of various homestay websites for promotional and bookings regarding work.
- Try to make the stay as customized as possible.
- Ask for the feedback and make changes accordingly.
- Always remember ‘Guest is God” is how we treat guests in India.
If you want to read in detail about how to start a homestay business then read: HOW TO START A HOMESTAY BUSINESS?
Want to read in hindi here it is : उत्तराखंड में होमस्टे का बिजनेस कैसे शुरू करें?
HOMESTAY SCHEME | AN INITIATIVE TO BOOST THE HOMESTAY BUSINESS IN UTTARAKHAND
You need to know about this scheme if you want to know how to start a homestay business in Uttarakhand.The government of Uttarakhand initiated this homestay scheme to improve the rural economy and enhance the living standards of people of Uttarakhand. Another reason was to let the travellers discover the true colors of Uttarakhand, the land of Gods. Initially the government aimed to build nearly 5000 homestays in Uttarakhand by 2020 but as we all know the current circumstances, the scheme has been hindered. However when it becomes feasible the scheme will bloom again. There is also a provision of offering subsidies and concessions to the people covered under this scheme.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- The scheme will be applicable to the entire state, except the areas under municipal corporation.
- The applicant’s house should be purely residential premises and not a business platform only
- The homestay should have owners or leaseholders as its permanent residents. They should be living with their family.
- The homestay owner should be responsible for the arrangement of food for the guests.
- Minimum of one room and maximum of six rooms are allowed to be used as homestay for the visitors.
- The registration of the proposed homestay is mandatory.
CONCESSIONS AND DISCOUNTS UNDER THE SCHEME
- The state government will look after the state GST on the income generated from the homestay under the scheme for the first three years,
- The water, electricity bill will be charged at non-commercial rates by the respective department, incurred for the homestay.
- In order to start a homestay there would be no requirement for land development.
GUIDELINES FOR THE SCHEME
- To be a native of Uttarakhand is mandatory.
- The house should be owned by the applicant in which he/she currently resides.
- Good credit score in banks or any other financial institution.
- Priority will be given to the houses already developed in the hills.
- 33% of the total amount or 10 lakh, whichever is less, will be given by the government for construction of homestays in hills,
- For construction of homestays in plains, 25% of the total amount or 7.5 lakh, whichever is less, will be borne by the government.
- In addition to that, 50% of the total loan amount or Rs. 1.5 lakh, whichever is more, will be borne by the government for the construction of homestay.
Also Read in Hindi : उत्तराखंड पंडित दीनदयाल गृहआवास योजना के लिए ऑनलाइन रजिस्ट्रेशन कैसे करें?
CONCLUSION
If you are a native of Uttarakhand and you own a rustic house in the hills with spare room, convert it into homestay. Welcome the travellers and help them explore the beauty of Uttarakhand in the most unfabricated manner. Since now you know how to start a homestay business in Uttarakhand all need you need to do is follow the procedure.
If you’re ready to turn your homestay dream into a reality in the picturesque state of Uttarakhand, understanding the registration process is key. Registering your homestay not only lends it credibility but also ensures compliance with local regulations. In our detailed guide on how to register a homestay in Uttarakhand, we walk you through the necessary steps, from obtaining the required permits and licenses to fulfilling safety and hygiene standards mandated by the authorities. With our comprehensive insights, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the registration process smoothly and embark on your journey as a licensed homestay owner in Uttarakhand.
It is a great blog post.I am always read your blog helpful and informative tips. I like it thanks for sharing this information with use
thank you…..
Thanks for sharing these these tips but I think most of the homestays are like in commercial way – Home stays means an authentic culture , cultural cusine with using natural resources . I started an initiate with my 100 years old house – Kuwarji’s Home Stay , Hope I am going in right direction ? !!!
thanks for commenting.
hi iam woking in private firm in delhi and my native place is in uttarakhand and going to plan reconstructed my old into home stay can i do it or take home stay loan
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your plans with us. It’s wonderful to hear about your aspirations to reconstruct your old home into a homestay. Converting your ancestral property into a homestay can be a fantastic way to preserve its heritage while also opening it up to travelers seeking an authentic and immersive experience.
Thanks for sharing words about How to start a homestay business in Uttarakhand. I am actually looking for same – planning to start making a homestay in Kumaon region.
You’re most welcome! It’s great to hear about your plans to start a homestay in the beautiful Kumaon region. If you need any further assistance or guidance during the process, please feel free to reach out. Best of luck with your new venture!