The Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out its Bed and Breakfast and Homestay Policy 2025, aiming to bring small guest facilities run out of residential homes into the formal fold. The initiative not only grants legitimacy to such establishments but also opens up financial incentives, simplified registration, and greater visibility for hosts.

Already, the policy is seeing a strong response in Lucknow, where hundreds of families are signing up to open their doors to tourists—offering visitors affordable stays and the warmth of local hospitality, while creating new income opportunities for residents.

Announced after months of consultation and revision, the policy requires all existing bed and breakfast units (BnBs) and homestays in the state to register themselves by June 9 next year. Until now, such establishments often operated through online platforms, bypassing state-level registration and regulation.

Officials estimate that nearly 800 homestays are likely to be set up in Lucknow alone, offering affordable alternatives to hotels and creating a welcoming, family-like atmosphere for tourists.

UP Tourism & Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh recently said that the strong participation from Lucknow residents shows how the policy is meeting a real demand. “Our effort is to ease the stay challenges faced by visitors at peak tourist destinations while creating new income opportunities for local families. Homestays offer tourists not just affordability, but the warmth of Indian hospitality,” he said.

Under the policy, residents can register 1–6 rooms of their homes as homestays, with a maximum of 12 beds. Property owners are allowed to rent out up to two-thirds of their residence, while continuing to live on the premises. The scheme is classified under Gold and Silver categories and provides financial incentives, including subsidies and exemptions, to encourage participation.

Interested applicants can easily register their properties through the UP Tourism Department’s official portal up-tourismportal.in, a simplified process that replaces the earlier reliance on central portals. The registration process is overseen by committees led by the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police to ensure smooth approvals.

Officials noted that the surge in interest follows Uttar Pradesh’s record 65 crore domestic tourist arrivals in 2024–25, the highest in the country. With foreign tourist inflows also rising steadily, the homestay model is expected to play a key role in meeting accommodation demand while allowing travelers to experience local culture, cuisine, and traditions up close.

Minister Jaiveer Singh added that the initiative reflects the state’s vision of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava,’ combining affordable hospitality with authentic cultural experiences. “Through this policy, we are not only strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s tourism infrastructure but also empowering local families to share in the state’s growth,” he said.