The Ministry of Tourism, under its voluntary classification scheme, has streamlined the star rating system for hotels through the NIDHI+ portal.
This system rates hotels from One Star to Five Star Deluxe, ensuring consistency and quality standards for both guests and stakeholders. The process is overseen by the Hotel & Restaurant Approval & Classification Committee (HRACC), which includes diverse representation from the Ministry, industry bodies, hotel management institutes, and State Government/UT Administrations. The classification lists for hotels from 2019 onward have been systematically compiled.
In addition to hotel classification, the Ministry has emphasized wellness and spiritual tourism. Through its central sector schemes such as Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD, significant financial assistance has been extended to State Governments and Union Territories for infrastructure development in tourism. Under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) scheme, 34 sustainable projects worth ₹791.25 crores, including a tribal experience, have been sanctioned.
A noteworthy initiative includes the development of 1,000 tribal homestays under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme’s Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan. This provides substantial financial support for construction, renovation, and community requirements, highlighting efforts to enhance tribal tourism and enrich visitor experiences.
To further foster employment in tourism and hospitality, the Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP) scheme offers programs like Hunar Se Rozgar Tak, Tourism Awareness, and Entrepreneurship, benefitting over 67,000 candidates in the past three years.
The Ministry’s efforts underline its commitment to inclusive growth, tourism excellence, and community engagement, reinforcing India’s status as a premier global tourist destination.
