To boost UP tourism and encourage self-employment in Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath-led cabinet has given its approval to the “Bed and Breakfast and Homestay Policy 2025.” The policy aims to provide economical accommodation options for tourists by allowing private residences to host visitors, especially near popular tourism destinations. This move is expected to benefit both tourists and local residents, offering a more homely and immersive travel experience while promoting entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. With this move, Uttar Pradesh is set to replicate successful tourism models adopted in other Indian states while tailoring them to its unique socio-cultural landscape.
Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh announced the policy’s approval following the cabinet meeting. He explained that this initiative would provide tourists with a more economical and homely option when visiting religious and heritage destinations. Under the new policy, local residential homes with 6 rooms and a maximum of 12 beds will be allowed to register as official Bed and Breakfast (B&B) or Homestay units. The aim is to provide tourists with affordable accommodation, with rates proposed between Rs 500 to Rs 750 per night, depending on the rural location and category of the unit.
#UPCM श्री @myogiadityanath जी की अध्यक्षता में हुई कैबिनेट बैठक में पर्यटन विभाग की 'बेड एंड ब्रेकफास्ट व होम स्टे नीति-2025' को स्वीकृति प्रदान कर दी गई है।
इस नीति के तहत कोई भी व्यक्ति अपने घरों में एक से छह कमरों तक की इकाई को होमस्टे के रूप में पंजीकृत करा सकता है। इस नीति… pic.twitter.com/V5kHiWPro5
— Government of UP (@UPGovt) June 4, 2025
A fee of Rs 2,000 has been fixed for applying under the urban or silver category homestays. Earlier, due to the absence of such a policy in the state, homestay operators had to register on the Central Government’s NIDHI Plus portal. Now, online registration for homestays must be done through the official portal – up-tourismportal.in. Under this scheme, 229 locations have already been identified in rural areas of the state.
Some of the most popular religious and cultural places in Uttar Pradesh are part of this plan. Ayodhya Dham has the highest number of approved homestays at 19, followed by Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, and Gorakhpur, each with 17. Other important districts like Varanasi, Sultanpur, Barabanki, Amethi, Gonda, Bahraich, Balrampur, and Basti have 10 to 12 approved homestays each.
The policy offers two main classifications: Bed and Breakfast Units, typically located in urban or semi-urban settings, and Homestays, which are more common in rural or semi-rural areas. Applicants will need to register their units with the Tourism Department, and approvals will be granted only after verifying key criteria such as ownership documents, room facilities, hygiene standards, and basic security provisions. It has been clearly stated that accommodations operating without official registration will not be considered legal under this scheme.
Officials highlighted that the newly approved policy is designed to integrate local communities into the tourism ecosystem. The aim is to encourage meaningful interaction between visitors and hosts while ensuring comfort and safety. The stay experience will also include exposure to local culture, food, customs, and festivals and enhance the overall experience of the tourists.
To prevent any possible misuse and ensure quality service, only those accommodations that meet the specified parameters will receive certification. The state is also working on launching a dedicated mobile application and website for tourists, where they can find certified homestays and B&B units, along with photographs, reviews, and pricing. Training programs will also be organized for host families to ensure professional hospitality standards are met. This includes training in soft skills, hygiene, basic English, and local tourism knowledge.
The cabinet also noted that this initiative would support employment generation in various indirect sectors such as local transport, housekeeping, cooking, and handicrafts. Many residents in rural and semi-urban areas will benefit from enhanced livelihoods, contributing to the state’s rural economy. Women, in particular, are expected to be primary beneficiaries as they can manage homestays while staying at home, thereby promoting entrepreneurship at the household level.
In addition to the Bed and Breakfast and Homestay Policy, the Cabinet has also approved the audit report of the Local Fund Examination (LFE) concerning local body examinations.
Similar models have shown success in states like Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh, with its vast tourism diversity from the Ganga ghats of Varanasi to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Buddhist trails in Kushinagar and Sarnath, and wildlife parks in Dudhwa and Pilibhit is well-positioned to lead this transformation in north India.
Since April 2023, a total of 2,269 applications have been received under the homestay program. The state’s tourism portal has recorded over 16 lakh views, showing a rising interest among people wanting to know more about registration procedures, eligibility, and benefits. The government’s promotional campaigns, including awareness drives and information sessions, are also contributing to the high response rate.
The homestay policy fits seamlessly into the Tourism Vision 2025 of the Uttar Pradesh government, which aims to transform the state into a globally attractive, inclusive, and sustainable tourism destination. With the successful implementation of this policy, UP can expect not only an increase in domestic and foreign tourist footfall but also a more equitable distribution of tourism income across rural and urban sectors.
