Bed-and-breakfast scheme to get another chance

The Delhi government tourism department plans to revive the 'bed-and-breakfast' scheme that was launched with much fanfare ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

The Delhi government tourism department plans to revive the 'bed-and-breakfast' scheme that was launched with much fanfare ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

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Nearly 400 such accommodations that were launched at that time are not running successfully and a number of them have shut down.

According to Delhi government officials, the department now plans to take the help of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to identify certain houses in their localities that can serve as 'bed-and-breakfast' accommodations.

Unlike a hotel where a number of rooms have to be available to start operating, owners of a bed and breakfast home can begin the facility even if they have two spare rooms.

"Bed-and-breakfast accommodations that had come up before, were independent and there was no community participation. Tourists still preferred to stay at hotels rather than at these places. However, now that the RWAs will choose the houses and interact with the tourists, there will be greater trust and people would want to choose them over other available accommodations," said a senior Delhi government official.

The RWAs will also provide information about sight-seeing, shopping areas to tourists, and also involve them in local events and festivals.

"Around the, world bed-and-breakfast schemes have worked because there is greater community participation. Tourists who stay there interact with the residents; learn about their culture and tradition. It becomes an enriching experience which is not possible in a hotel," added the official.

The tourism department plans a workshop of RWAs to discuss details.There are two types of bed-and-breakfast schemes -- silver and gold. For silver, the registration fee is Rs. 3,000 for gold it is Rs. 5,000.

Certain criteria have to be maintained to apply for the gold category. For instance, the owner has to provide adequate parking space. But parking is not necessary in a silver category.