India’s tourism ministry extends validity period for hotels and travel agents

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has extended the validity period of approval or certification of hotels and other accommodation units until June 30, 2020.

This is applicable to those whose project approvals/reapprovals and classification/reclassification have expired or are likely to expire during the period from March 24 to June 29, 2020.

The tourism ministry classifies hotels under the star rating system to conform to the expected standards for different classes of tourists — the hotels are given a rating, from one star to three star, four and five star with or without alcohol, five star deluxe, heritage (basic), heritage (classic), heritage (grand), legacy vintage (basic), legacy vintage (classic), legacy vintage (grand) and apartment hotels, homestays and guest house etc.

The classification/ certification is valid for a period of five years.

Likewise, the ministry has also decided to allow six months’ relaxation or extension to all categories of tour operators (inbound, domestic, adventure), travel agents and tourist transport operators for their approval subject to the following conditions:

• The previous approval expired or the current approval expires during the period from March 20, 2020 (i.e. the date of issuance of the order by the Ministry for discontinuation of inspection work by India Tourism offices) until the continuation of lockdown.
• They applied for renewal before expiry of their current/previous approval.

tourism.gov.in