Bed & Breakfast/Homestay Scheme

Bed & Breakfast/Homestay Scheme: 

The Bed & Breakfast/Homestay Scheme is a unique initiative introduced by the Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Government of Punjab to enhance the accommodation facilities available across the state. This scheme focuses on registering private residential properties as Bed & Breakfast (BnB) or Homestay units. It provides a great opportunity for homeowners to offer affordable and culturally enriching accommodation to both domestic and international tourists, while simultaneously benefiting from a supplementary income.

What is Bed & Breakfast and Homestay:

• Bed & Breakfast (BnB) Unit: A BnB unit is a private residence that offers at least one guest room and serves breakfast to its guests. It provides a comfortable and cozy experience for travelers, combining the warmth of a home with the essential services of a hospitality unit.
• Homestay: A Homestay unit provides accommodation without breakfast. However, homeowners can choose to offer breakfast upon guest request, based on mutually agreed terms and charges.

Benefits of the Scheme:

The Bed & Breakfast/Homestay Scheme offers several key benefits to the registered property owners:

• Additional Source of Income: Homeowners can earn extra income by renting out guest rooms in their homes.
• Association with Punjab Tourism: Registered units will be associated with the prestigious Punjab Tourism brand, allowing them to use the Punjab Tourism logo on signage and marketing materials.
• Marketing Support: The Department of Tourism and Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) will promote the units on the official Punjab Tourism website, travel media coverage, and brochures distributed at tourism centers.
• Promotional Activities: The scheme offers visibility through participation in domestic and international trade fairs.
• BnB/Homestay Certification: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PHTPB will issue a Lifetime Certification to the registered properties.

Eligibility Criteria:

The eligibility for registering a property under the scheme depends on the category of the unit and the facilities provided:

Gold Category Eligibility:

• The house must not be more than 20 years old at the time of the first application.
• The property should have at least 25% open space (lawn, green area, terrace).
• There should be provision for hygienic storage of food.
• Adequate guest parking space should be available.

Silver Category Eligibility:

• Properties that do not meet the Gold Category criteria but have at least one let-able room can apply for registration under the Silver Category.

General Conditions:

• The owner must live in the property with at least one let-able room and a maximum of six let-able rooms (12 beds).
• The breakfast type must be specified in the case of a BnB unit, and the charges must be displayed.
• The BnB scheme includes breakfast; the Homestay scheme does not, though owners can offer breakfast for an additional charge.
• The property should meet hygiene, safety, and cleanliness standards.
• Registered units must allow guests to use common areas like the sitting room and ensure proper facilities in guest rooms.

Application Process:

The application process for registration under this scheme is online and can be done via the Common Service Centres (CSCs) or the Punjab Tourism portal.

Steps to Apply:

1. Step 1: Visit the Punjab Tourism website https://punjabtourism.punjab.gov.in/.
2. Step 2: Click on ‘BNB/Homestay Scheme’ under the “Register Your Units with Punjab Tourism” section.
3. Step 3: If not registered, click on ‘Register Yourself’ and fill in the mandatory details.
4. Step 4: After registration, click on ‘Apply for Service’ and select ‘Online’.
5. Step 5: Log in with your Login ID and Password.
6. Step 6: Fill out the application form and upload the required documents.
7. Step 7: Pay the application fee online and upload the payment proof.
8. Step 8: Once submitted, a system-generated acknowledgment email will be sent to you.

Application Fee:

• Gold Category: ₹5,000
• Silver Category: ₹3,000

Property Registration:

Once the application is processed, the provisional registration certificate will be issued. A final registration certificate will be issued within 7 working days.

Submission of Reports:

Registered BnB/Homestay owners must submit a quarterly report on the number of guests served via the online portal.

Cancellation of Registration:

The registration of a Bed & Breakfast/Homestay unit may be canceled if:

• The terms and conditions of the scheme are violated.
• False information was provided in the application.
• Quarterly reports are not submitted on time.
• Customer complaints are substantiated after investigation.
• Ownership of the property changes, and the CEO, PHTPB is not informed.

Documents Required:

To complete the application process, the following documents need to be submitted:

1. Checklist of facilities (Annexure-II)
2. Signed Declaration (Annexure-III)
3. Additional background information (Annexure-IV)
4. Identity Proof: Aadhaar card, Driving License, Passport, Voter Card, Ration Card, PAN Card, etc.
5. Proof of Ownership: Allotment letter, Conveyance Deed
6. Photographs: Kitchen, Main Gate, Parking, Rooms, Bathrooms, Lawn, Drawing/Dining room
7. Construction Year Verification Certificate
8. Proof of Payment for the application fee