Shimla | July 9, 2025
The Himachali Homestay Association has raised serious concerns over the state’s newly notified draft homestay policy.
It says the current rules are flawed and unfair to small operators.
The Association wants some key changes in how homestays are classified into Silver, Golden, and Diamond categories.
It has also demanded that the registration fee should be valid for three years — not just one.
A formal request has now been made for Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to intervene and revise the policy metrics.
The association led by President Tanuja Dhanta, Vice President Naveen Sharma, General Secretary Rajat Chauhan, Treasurer Radhika Sharma, Press Secretary Chirag Sanghaik, and Executive Members Ashish Sharda and Dinesh Kumar Sharma — met District Tourism Development Officer Jagdish Sharma in Shimla on today.
The meeting focused on loopholes and practical challenges in the new Homestay Policy 2025, which is aimed at boosting self-employment through tourism.
One Yardstick Can’t Fit All
The association says the current classification framework is unrealistic.
"How can a rural homestay with basic facilities be compared with a luxury homestay in a city? One yardstick for all doesn't work," said President Tanuja Dhanta.
The policy’s uniform parameters for all three tiers — Silver, Golden, and Diamond — are not fair and they need to change them.
Annual Fee Hike Draws Flak
Another major concern raised was the hefty annual registration fees, which range between ₹3,000 to ₹12,000 depending on location and category.
The association said this would discourage small-scale owners in remote and backward regions.
They have requested that registration validity be extended to three years, especially for Silver-category homestays.
“This will ease the financial and procedural burden on genuine homestay operators,” said General Secretary Rajat Chauhan.
Launch the Portal Now
The association also urged the government to immediately activate the online registration portal, which is still not functional.
Without the portal, homestay owners are stuck in limbo, unable to register or update details under the new policy.
Welcoming the Policy, But With Caution
While acknowledging the government’s intent to promote tourism, the association said implementation must be inclusive and fair.
They appreciated the efforts to streamline the sector and include incentives for women entrepreneurs, but stressed the need to differentiate between commercial luxury stays and authentic rural homestays.
No Room for Illegal Units
The association also made it clear that it would not support any illegal or non-compliant homestay operations in the state.
“If any unit is found misusing the policy, we’ll fully cooperate with the tourism department to take action,” said Tanuja Dhanta.
Memorandum to Be Submitted to CM
A formal memorandum is being prepared and will soon be submitted to the Chief Minister’s office. "We have sought meeting with the CM".
The demands include:
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Separate, realistic criteria for each category
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Minimum Three-year registration renewal validity
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Reduced fees for small homestays
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Fast-tracking the online registration system with no inspector Raj
The association said it looks forward to constructive dialogue with the government to ensure that the policy truly benefits local entrepreneurs — and doesn’t end up hurting those it aims to support.
