Yogi govt’s Bed and Breakfast and Homestay Policy transforming the tourism landscape in Uttar Pradesh

More than 3,000 applications received for affordable homestays and farmstays, 900 registered so far

Along with major cities, districts like Bundelkhand, Jhansi, and Banda are emerging as tourism hubs

Affordable accommodation for tourists is creating employment opportunities for local residents

Lucknow, May 2026 : Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, religious and cultural tourism is rapidly gaining momentum in Uttar Pradesh. With the construction of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the redevelopment of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, and record numbers of tourists and devotees visiting Mathura-Vrindavan and several other districts, the demand for affordable accommodation in the state has increased significantly.

The Yogi government’s Bed and Breakfast and Homestay Policy is addressing this demand effectively.

Through this initiative, tourists are getting economical alternatives to expensive hotels, while new employment opportunities are opening up in both urban and rural areas.

According to data from the Tourism Department, homestays and farmstays have been expanding rapidly in Uttar Pradesh since the implementation of the Bed and Breakfast and Homestay Policy in 2025.

Officials stated that more than 3,000 applications have been received from across the state so far, while nearly 900 homestays and farmstays have already been registered.

Since the beginning of 2026, the number of applications has risen sharply, reflecting growing public confidence and interest in tourism-related businesses.

According to the Tourism Department, homestays and farmstays in the urban category are performing strongly in Varanasi, Mathura, Agra, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Lucknow.

Officials further noted that the rural homestay model is witnessing the fastest growth in the Bundelkhand region.

Districts such as Banda, Hamirpur, Mahoba, and Jhansi are emerging as new tourism destinations.

Apart from this, Barabanki, Bahraich, Pilibhit, and Lakhimpur are also rapidly gaining recognition as rural tourism destinations. Interest among travelers and local residents in homestays and farmstays is also growing steadily in the rural areas of Mathura-Vrindavan and Agra.

With affordable accommodation options becoming available, tourists and devotees are increasingly turning towards rural settings as well.

Officials said that the policy is also encouraging local employment and small businesses in smaller districts.

Many families are now converting their vacant rooms into sources of income, reducing the need to migrate to larger cities for work.

The model is proving especially beneficial for retired individuals, elderly couples, women-led households, and families with vacant homes by providing them with an additional source of income.

Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said, “The true strength of tourism is realized when its benefits directly reach villages and local families. The homestay and farmstay model is not only connecting tourists with the authentic culture, local cuisine, traditions, and rural lifestyle of Uttar Pradesh, but is also transforming vacant homes into sources of income and creating new opportunities for employment and self-employment in villages.”

This, he added, is increasing interest among youth in tourism-based businesses within their own districts.

The government’s effort is to ensure that the benefits of tourism are not limited only to major cities and hotels, but reach every village and household.

Registration of units under the Bed and Breakfast and Homestay Policy is a simple and transparent online process.

Both newly established and already operational units can easily register through the designated portal. Registration ensures inclusion in the Tourism Department’s records and enables units to avail all policy benefits.

The official registration portal is: UP Tourism Homestay Registration Portal

Residential buildings where the owner resides and has additional rooms available after personal use, which can be offered to tourists for accommodation, are eligible under the urban homestay category.

Such units can have a maximum of six rooms and a total capacity of up to 12 beds in a single residential unit.

The Tourism Department has also clarified the framework for Bed and Breakfast (B&B) units. These include residential buildings where the owner does not reside but has one to six rooms available for tourist accommodation.

Such units can have a maximum of six rooms with up to 12 beds in total. It is mandatory for every B&B unit to appoint a caretaker responsible for maintenance and operations.

In rural areas, residential buildings where the owner resides and has a few additional rooms available for tourists can operate as rural homestays. Such units can also have up to six rooms with a maximum capacity of 12 beds.

The Bed and Breakfast and Homestay Policy is providing multiple benefits in both rural and urban areas.

It is creating an additional source of income for people from the comfort of their homes.

Under this policy, electricity bills, water tax, house tax, and sewer tax are charged at residential rates.

Beneficiaries can also avail solar energy subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Muft Bijli Yojana for installing rooftop solar panels.

In addition, the Tourism Department’s Manyawar Kanshiram Institute of Tourism Management will provide free skill development training to eight support staff members associated with the units.

Furthermore, registered units will receive promotional support through the official website of the Tourism Department.