A simplified online registration system and self-certification regime are proposed in the Delhi government’s Bed & Breakfast Policy 2026, which aims to encourage regulated homestay-style housing. In addition to providing more revenue prospects for homeowners and caretakers, the move is intended to complement the city’s traditional hotel infrastructure by promoting cheap, neighborhood-based lodging.

Food streets, markets, and a rich cultural experience draw a broad group of domestic and foreign visitors throughout the year to Delhi, which is home to Unesco World Heritage sites and historic landmarks. Many tourists nowadays would rather stay in smaller, more community-based, and individually-attended establishments than in large, impersonal hotels. Developing an appropriate regulatory framework for such accommodations is the goal of the proposed B&B regulation, according to a government official.

The plan calls for letting houses with at least one room and up to eight rooms, or sixteen beds, run as small-scale guest accommodations.

In order to make the proposed policy better meet the needs of the industry, tourists, and users, the tourism department has asked for feedback from interested parties and the general public through email and regular mail within 30 days after May 26.

Ensuring the safety of guests, especially female tourists, is a priority for the proposed policy. It is mandatory for all registered B&B units to comply with police verification criteria, submit visitor details on the tourist department portal, and retain verified guest records. As an added safety measure, operators must set up smoke or heat detectors, first aid kits, appropriate locking mechanisms, and fire extinguishers. Additionally, it has been suggested that the entryway and common spaces of higher-category units be covered by CCTV.

The goal, according to an official, is to establish a homestay ecosystem that is secure, accountable, and professionally run so that people, particularly women travelling alone, may feel more confident and transparent when looking for affordable lodging.

Delhi was the original launch location for the B&B concept in 2007. Due to shifting tourist preferences and the proliferation of private internet housing platforms, the initiative slowed down over time and is now mostly dormant in several areas of the city. Regardless, a number of these registered units, especially in residential areas, are still running under the current system.

Image Credit: ET Realty