The Ministry of Tourism has announced simpler guidelines for classification and re-classification of hotels.

It has not only done away with requirements such as multiple licences, but has also delinked hotel classification and liquor service.

Trade licence

Earlier, a hotel was required to submit 13-odd licences for classification.

Now, it will need to submit only the current and valid trade and bar licences, wherever applicable.

For clearances that are issued by various local, State and Central Government authorities for hotel operation, such as land utilisation certificate, building completion certificate, coastal zone regulation clearance, forest and environment clearance, pollution control clearance, police clearance, fire safety clearance, airport authority clearance, health and sanitation clearance, an affidavit from the hotel authorities alone will be sufficient.

Tourism Minister Shripad Yesso Naik told reporters at the State Tourism Ministers’ Conference: “Till now we were insisting on a series of approvals and documents from the applicants. This will now be done away with and only the presentation of the trade licence would be enough for classifying hotels in the form of star ratings.”

Violation of guidelines

In case of any violation of guidelines issued by the local, State or Central Governments, the respective authorities will be fully competent to take action against the unit, a statement from the Ministry said.

The Ministry has also delinked hotel classification and liquor service and will now classify 4-star, 5-star hotels in the non-heritage sector, and classic category hotels in the heritage sector, without insisting on the presence of a bar that serves alcohol on the premises.

According to the new guidelines, 5-star and 4-star hotels in the non-heritage sector, as well as classic category hotels in the heritage sector can now be classified as ‘5-star with alcohol service,’ ‘5-star without alcohol service,’ ‘4-star with alcohol service,’ ‘4-star without alcohol service,’ ‘classic heritage with alcohol service’ and ‘classic heritage without alcohol service.’

This provides hotels the flexibility to decide whether or not to provide alcohol as part of their services.

E-visa: Also, electronic visa or e-visa facility will be rolled out by October at nine airports in the country, Naik said. Parvez Dewan, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, added that the e-visa facility will be open to most countries.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/norms-for-hotel-classification-eased/article6347355.ece