Bed - Breakfast/Homestay Scheme is a tourism scheme of Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Government of Punjab, under which homeowners can register one to six spare rooms as certified accommodation for travelers. Property owners who join the scheme earn extra household income, while tourists get clean, affordable and culturally rich stays across the state.
Registration for Bed - Breakfast/Homestay Scheme continues through the Punjab eServices portal in 2026. A one-time non-refundable application fee of ₹5,000 for Gold category homes and ₹3,000 for Silver category homes remains unchanged, and the registration certificate issued by Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) stays valid for the lifetime of the registered unit.
Two types of units can be registered under this scheme. Bed & Breakfast (BnB) unit is a private house with at least one room available for guests, where breakfast is served to visitors. Homestay unit mainly offers stay facility; breakfast is not required but can be provided on request at a mutually agreed price.
For example, if Ramesh has a spare room in his house, he can register it under this scheme to host travelers. Guests get a personal touch and local cultural insights that standard hotels often lack, while Ramesh builds a steady side income.
Bed - Breakfast/Homestay Scheme - Introduction
Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs registers fully operational rooms of private properties as Bed & Breakfast and Homestay units across Punjab. This helps the state improve the availability of quality accommodation without building new hotels, and gives small property owners a direct way to benefit from tourism.
Chief Executive Officer of PHTPB issues the registration certificate, and each registered unit gets promotion support from the state tourism board. Help desk support is available on working days for anyone facing problems during application.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Bed - Breakfast/Homestay Scheme |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary State | Punjab |
| Category | Travel & Tourism |
| Benefit Type | In Kind |
| Nodal Department | Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs |
| Implementing Agency | Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Fee | ₹5,000 Gold, ₹3,000 Silver |
| Certificate Validity | Lifetime |
| Official Website | punjabtourism.punjab.gov.in |
Benefits
Joining Bed - Breakfast/Homestay Scheme gives property owners several practical advantages.
- Income opportunity: Hosting guests creates a reliable source of extra household income from rooms that would otherwise stay empty.
- Brand association: Registered units get the prestige of Punjab Tourism brand and official permission to display the Punjab Tourism logo on their signage.
- Marketing support: Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) helps promote registered units through its official website, travel writer features, brochures at Tourist Information Centres, and national and international trade fairs.
Registered partners receive a lifetime certificate issued by the CEO of PHTPB, which formalizes their status as approved accommodation providers.
Eligibility
Property owners fit into one of two categories based on their facilities.
| Category | Primary Requirement |
|---|---|
| Gold | House is under 20 years old, has 25% open area such as lawn or terrace, hygienic food storage, and dedicated guest parking inside the premises. |
| Silver | Property does not meet Gold criteria but has at least one let-able room. |
General requirements that apply to every applicant:
- Room count: Property should have between one and six let-able rooms with a maximum of 12 beds.
- Residence: Owner must physically reside in the same property being registered.
- Comfort standards: Property should offer a high standard of comfort, with guests getting access to a sitting room or common area.
- Bathroom facility: Every bedroom must have a clean attached private bathroom with 24-hour hot and cold water, a western toilet, and reliable lighting or power backup.
- Safety and hygiene: Property must be structurally safe and maintain strict hygiene standards at all times.
Application Process
Application for Bed - Breakfast/Homestay Scheme is submitted online. Follow these steps to register your property:
STEP 1 - Visit the official Punjab Tourism portal or open the Bed and Breakfast Homestay service page on Punjab eServices portal.
STEP 2 - Navigate to the 'BNB/Homestay Scheme' section under the 'Register your Units' tab.
STEP 3 - New users should click 'Register Yourself' to create an account on the portal.
STEP 4 - After registration, log in to the dashboard, click 'Apply for Service' and select the 'Online' mode.
STEP 5 - Fill the application form with accurate details and upload the required documents like identity proof, ownership proof and photographs.
STEP 6 - Pay the non-refundable registration fee online, ₹5,000 for Gold category and ₹3,000 for Silver category, and upload the payment receipt.
STEP 7 - Submit the form and note the automatic email acknowledgement received on the registered email address.
Provisional registration is granted automatically after submission, so the unit can start operating right away. Final registration certificate is issued within 15 days as per the Punjab eServices service rules.
Documents
Keep these documents ready before starting the online application:
- Filled facility checklist (Annexure-II) and signed declaration (Annexure-III).
- Proof of identity such as Aadhaar, Driving License, Passport, Voter Card, Government ID card, Ration Card, PAN Card, Pensioner Card or Freedom Fighter Card.
- Proof of ownership: Allotment letter or Conveyance Deed.
- Photographs of kitchen, main gate, parking, drawing/dining room, lawn, rooms and bathrooms.
- Certificate verifying the year of construction, such as a building completion certificate or self undertaking.
- Payment receipt of the application fee.
Help Desk
For any problem during registration or application, contact the help desk of Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board.
Phone: 0172-5078449
Email: managerstat.phtpb@gmail.com
Timing: 10 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday
References
View Application Form and Service Details
Punjab Tourism Official Website
Download User Manual PDF for Registration
FAQ's
What is Bed - Breakfast/Homestay Scheme?
Bed - Breakfast/Homestay Scheme is a Punjab tourism scheme that lets homeowners register spare rooms as certified accommodation for travelers, giving tourists clean, affordable and culturally immersive stays.
What is the main aim of the scheme?
Main aim is to improve the availability of quality accommodation across Punjab while helping homeowners earn extra income from tourism.
Who can apply?
Any property owner in Punjab who lives in the same house and has one to six rooms available for rent can apply under Gold or Silver category.
What is the difference between Gold and Silver categories?
Gold category homes are less than 20 years old with 25% open area and dedicated guest parking. Silver category is for homes that do not meet these structural requirements but have at least one let-able room.
How long is the registration valid?
Registration certificate is valid for a lifetime, provided the owner maintains required standards and submits periodic reports.
Is there an application fee?
Yes, one-time non-refundable fee is ₹5,000 for Gold category and ₹3,000 for Silver category.
Where can I get help if I face a problem?
Help desk of PHTPB can be reached at 0172-5078449 or managerstat.phtpb@gmail.com between 10 AM and 5 PM from Monday to Friday.
