In a much-needed relief to the hotel industry, the Government has simplified the process of classification of hotels by doing away with the mandatory submission of multiple licences related to the police, pollution and fire among a horde of others. It has also decided to roll out e-visa system by the beginning of the tourist season in October, a move aimed to attract foreign tourists in a large number.
Union Minister for Tourism Shripad Naik told reporters on Thursday that initiatives have been taken to simplify hotel classification wherein hotel owners will be asked to submit just the trade and bar (liquor) licenses and an undertaking that they have taken all other clearances from local authorities.
“The move will help the industry to grow rapidly as currently hotel owners keen to seek classification of their hotels have to wait endlessly as they run from pillar to post to get clearance from multiple authorities. With the new guidelines, they will come to us after they have already ensured all the mandatory licenses,” he said after national conference with tourism ministers from across the States.
The move follows persistent demand from the industry which had complained against multiplication of applications required to submit while seeking classification of their hotels. As per Tourism guidelines, hotels are categorised under various categories as per their facilities and amenities.
There are more than 15 licenses required by the industry to start a new hotel.On e-visa, the Minister said that the process is expected to be rolled out shortly and there was no reservation from the Home and External Affairs ministries over the scheme.According to the plan, the e-visa facility will be extended to all countries except 10 nations including Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri lanka and Somalia.
Emphasising on cleanliness, Naik said his Ministry will give cash reward to civic bodies which excel in maintaining the tourism sites clean and hygienic.Asked about the creation of tourist police force for safety of tourists, he said, “12 States have so far created exclusive tourist police. Uttar Pradesh has also written to us that they are having tourist police at a few selected spots like Agra and Varanasi.”