Here's how to convert your home into a homestay without much investment in just one day


Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has announced a grand plan for MSMEs and Indian tourism. With the new campaign of Incredible India soon going live globally, it’s great opportunity for people to invest in the travel sector.

Recently the West Bengal government has renewed the policy for homestay to promote tourism in the state. When everyone is going great guns on tourism, it’s indeed the best time to invest in the sector.

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To start with
No, you won’t need too much of a bank balance to start something unique in this sector. Rather if you have a home with one or two rooms with attached modern washrooms and a good sense of hospitality, you are game.
We got in touch with Stayzilla, an online marketplace for all your off beat travel needs.

Scroll through the slideshow below to find what you would need to start a homestay at your home.

License

License
Licensing of homestays today is top objective with the government, realizing the same as a strong medium to take tourism local, boosting supply and generating employment.
Stayzilla is earnestly working with various state governments including Centre for Homestay Policy Formation, Easing , Implementation and Awareness. It is already the official Homestay partner for 8 states with the latest being Odisha and are in discussions with few more. For their partner states, Stayzilla acts as a strong channel to refer such interested homestays to the government and assists them with the right contacts and clearing impediments.
To obtain a license for an homestay, the host has to fill up an application form & submit it in the local tourism office (The same is available in Local Tourism Office)

Room measurements and amenities

Room measurements and amenities
Each State tourism board have set their own standards for room dimensions, amenities and other inclusions as a mandate for them to get registered as an approved Homestay provider. The host needs to ensure that the basic amenities like clean bedcovers, pillow covers, blankets, toiletries, etc are in place in each room.
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​ Investments, if any

​ Investments, if any

There is no need for any huge investments to run a homestay, all you need to do is just ensure that the basic amenities at your home are good and that it has met the standards set by the government and Stayzilla.

If the residents have an additional house or room unused, Stayzilla associates with them to provide training and to help them become homepreneurs without much investment. Stayzilla also identifies many unexplored tourist destinations, many of these places are unexplored due to the lack of infrastructures. Stayzilla tries to resolve these issues by establishing homestays in these regions and in doing so it boosts tourism in India.

How to list on Stayzilla

How to list on Stayzilla
Those who wish to list their homestay on Stayzilla can do so by visiting this link and fill up the details. The property will be immediately listed on the app and web if the documents provided are valid. Further to the same, Stayzilla will verify the property and check if the requirements and standards are met. Stayzilla’s team will be part of the Service and Quality Assurance Committee along with the State Toursim Boards for Inspection, which includes property verification and screening.
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​ Time taken for processing

​ Time taken for processing
Stayzilla properties goes live immediately as soon as all the required data is uploaded while registering the property. But the verified tag is given to the property only once it has been physically verified by the Service and Quality Assurance Team.
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