Homestay Operators in Himachal Get a Much-Needed Break

Good news is on the horizon for thousands of homestay operators in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has stepped in to make life easier for those running homestays. Recognizing the challenges faced by operators, he has directed the tourism department to revise the rules to better suit their needs. The initial draft of the new rules had some issues that could have led to the closure of many homestays, but now, with feedback from the operators, the rules will be modified to prevent any future problems.

Concerns Raised by Operators

Homestay operators had several concerns about the new rules. The registration fee for urban areas was increased to ₹12,000, and operators were expected to pay commercial rates for electricity and water. Additionally, a GST number was made mandatory. Operators have requested a 50% concession in registration and renewal fees for homestays in panchayat areas, domestic rates for electricity and water, and the removal of the mandatory GST number. They also want areas within 50 meters of NH and four-lane roads outside municipal areas to be excluded from the urban category and the mandatory building structure stability certificate to be removed. They have also objected to having the same standards for both urban and rural areas. Considering these concerns, the rules will be amended to better support the operators.

A Boost for Self-Employment

The homestay scheme was initially launched to provide employment opportunities for unemployed youth in rural areas of Himachal Pradesh. Since its implementation in 2008, the scheme has successfully promoted tourism in rural areas, leading to the opening of numerous homestays in Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, and Shimla. Currently, there are 4,289 homestays across the state, offering a total of 17,222 rooms and a bed capacity of 26,727. Kullu has the highest number of homestays with 1,040, followed by Shimla with 805, and Lahaul-Spiti with 718. Other districts like Kangra, Solan, Chamba, Mandi, Kinnaur, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Una, and Hamirpur also have a significant number of homestays.

This move by the Chief Minister is a positive step towards ensuring the sustainability and growth of homestays in Himachal Pradesh, providing a much-needed boost to local tourism and self-employment opportunities.