Hotels are an integral part of a tourist's visit to a place and the services offered by them can make or mar a visit completely. With the aim of providing standardized, world class services to the tourists, the Government of India, Department of Tourism has a voluntary scheme for classification of fully operational hotels in the following two categories:-
(I) Star Hotels:- 5 Star Deluxe
5 Star
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
& 1 Star
(II) Heritage Hotels:- Heritage Grand
Heritage Classic
& Heritage
The Hotel & Restaurant Approval & Classification Committee (HRACC) inspect and assesses the hotels based on facilities and services offered.
Project approvals are also given in all the above mentioned categories at the project implementation stage.
Classified hotels / approved projects are eligible for various cocessions and facilities that are announced by the government from time to time besides getting worldwide publicity through the India Tourism Offices located in India and Abroad.
For classification and project approval in the 5 star deluxe, 5 star, 4 star and all three heritage categories the application along with the requisite fee may be sent to Member Secretary-HRACC at Department of Tourism, Govt. of India, New Delhi-11.
For classification and project approval in the 3 star, 2 star, 1 star categories the applications along with the requisite fee may be sent to the respective Regional Director of India Tourism office located in the following regions of India:-
West &Central Region- Mumbai
North Region- New Delhi
Southern Region- Chennai
Eastern Region- Kolkata
North Eastern Region- Guwahati
HRACC gives approval at two stages:-
1. Approval at Project Level, &
2. Approval and Classification for Newly Operational Hotel
Or
Reclassification of Approved Project
1. Approval at Project Level
Project approvals are valid for 5 years.
As soon as the hotel becomes operational, it must apply for its classification within 3 Months.
An Application Form along with Fee is to be submitted to Department of Tourism, Government of India mentioning the following:-
Proposed Name and Address of the Hotel
Type of Ownership
Detail of Site
Detail of Project
Detail of Proposed Hotel’s Infrastructure
Services and Facilities going to be provided
Eco friendly Practices
Expected date of Completion of Project
Blue Print / Sketch of Plans signed by Owner and Architect
Air conditioning details
Local Authority Approvals ans NOC
Proposed Capital Structure
Letter of Acceptance of Regulatory Conditions, etc.
The authorized officers of Department of Tourism should be allowed free access to inspect the premises from time to time without prior notice.
Fee details as per the categorization at project approval stage:-
Category Amount (in Rs.)
5 Star 15000/-
4 Star 12000/-
3 Star 8000/-
2 Star 6000/-
1 Star 5000/-
Heritage 12000/-
2. Approval and Classification for Newly Operational Hotel
& Reclassification of Approved Property:-
Classification for newly operational hotels must be sought within 3 months of completion of approved hotel project, while operating hotels may opt for classification at any stage. However hotels seeking re-classification should apply for re-classification one year prior to the expiry of the current period of classification.
New classification will be valid for 5 Years from the date of issue of order.
In case of re-classification validity of next 5 year is counted from the date of expiry of previous approval and classification.
Time Share properties are not subjected for classification.
An Application Form along with Fee is to be submitted to Department of Tourism, Government of India mentioning the following:-
Name and Address of Hotel
Type of Ownership
Date on which Hotel become Operational
Details of site
Details of Hotel’s Services and Facilities
Details of Hotel’s Infrastructure
Certificate / NOC (No Objection Certificate) from Local and State Authority like- Excise License, RBI Money Changer Lience etc.
Fee details as per the categorization for Classification and Re-classification:-
Category Amount (in Rs.)
5 Star Deluxe 25000/-
5 Star 20000/-
4 Star 15000/-
3 Star 10000/-
2 Star 8000/-
1 Star 6000/-
Heritage 15000/-
The Committee
Once a Hotel applies for classification / reclassification it should be ready at all time for inspection by the HRACC.
The Classification committee will consist of the following:-
For 5 star deluxe, 5 star, 4 star & Heritage Hotels
Head- Chairman-HRACC or his representative
Members- Representatives from FHRAI / HAI / IATO / TAAI / IHM / RD / Local India Tourism
Office / Director Tourism of Concern State or a Representative who should be a
Gazetted Officer / Member Secretary.
In case of Heritage category, a representative of IHHA will be the member of
Committee.
For 3 star, 2 star & 1 star Hotels
Head- Secretary Tourism of Concern State Government or his nominee or Regional Director of
India Tourism Office of the concern State.
Members- The representatives of FHRAI / IATO / TAAI / IHM.
Approval
In both cases a standard Mark sheet /Score sheet is used while inspection. The Qulifying Score is already been set by the HRACC, and in the event of failure to achieve the score may led to disqualifying of approval or degrading the star categorization.
