• Published by Sandeep Yelve
  • 11 Dec 2024
  • Maharshtra Trourism Policy 2024

How to Get Star Approval for Your Hotel at the Project Level: A Comprehensive Guide

Securing star approval for your hotel at the project level is a significant milestone in establishing a new hospitality venture. The Ministry of Tourism has established a detailed process to ensure that hotels meet high standards before they can be classified. This blog will guide you through the process of obtaining star approval, covering everything from application details to compliance requirements.

Understanding Project Approval Categories
The Ministry of Tourism categorizes hotels based on their facilities and services, which are classified into
the following categories:

  • 5-Star
  • 4-Star
  • 3-Star
  • 2-Star
  • 1-Star
  • Heritage (Basic)

Approval is granted for a period of 5 years. However, this approval will be invalidated 3 months prior to the expiry date or from the date the hotel becomes operational, whichever is earlier. Extensions of up to one year are possible under genuine grounds or extenuating circumstances, but must be requested at least 3 months before the original approval expires.

Steps for Securing Star Approval

1. Submit Your Application Online
- Applications must be submitted through the [Hotel Cloud Portal](https://www.hotelcloud.nic.in). Ensure that your application is complete and includes all required information.

2.Complete the Application Form
- Proposed Hotel Name: Provide the name you have chosen for your hotel.
- Promoter Information: Detail the names of the promoters, their business antecedents (in no more than 60 words), and complete contact details (postal address, phone, fax, and email).
- Legal Status of Owner/Promoter:
- Public/Private Limited Company: Include copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
- Partnership: Provide the Partnership Deed and Certificate of Registration.
- Proprietary Concern: Include the name and address of the proprietor and Certificate of Registration.
- Hotel Location: Provide the complete postal address of the hotel site.
- Site Details:
- Area: Specify the area in square feet.
- Title: Indicate whether the land is owned or leased and provide copies of the sale or lease deed.
- Land Use Permit:Attach the permit issued by local authorities.
- Distance: Provide distances from key locations such as the railway station, airport, and main shopping center or water body.

3. Project Details
- Feasibility Report: Attach a copy of the feasibility report.
- Star Category:Specify the planned star category of the hotel.
- Room Details: Include the number of rooms, their sizes (in square feet), and bathroom sizes.
- Public Areas: Describe the size and details of public areas such as lobby, lounge, restaurants, bar, shopping areas, banquet/conference halls, business center, health club, swimming pool, and parking facilities.
- Facilities for Differently-Abled Guests: Include details about accessible rooms, designated parking, ramps, and other accessibility features.
- Eco-Friendly Practices: Detail practices such as sewage treatment, rainwater harvesting, waste management, pollution control, and use of non-CFC equipment.
- Energy/Water Conservation: Mention the use of energy-saving devices and water conservation measures.
- Fire Fighting Measures: Provide details on fire safety measures, including hydrants and firefighting equipment.
- Completion Date: Specify the expected date of project completion and operation.
- Additional Facilities and Security Features: Include any other facilities and security features that will be part of the hotel.

4. Submit Blueprints and Building Plans
- Provide blueprints signed by the owner, architect, and approved by the competent authority. The blueprints should include:
- Site Plan
- Front and Side Elevations
- Floor Plans for All Floors
- Detailed Plans for Guest Rooms and Bathrooms
- Fire Fighting Measures
- Air-Conditioning Details

5. Obtain Local Approvals
- Secure approvals from municipal authorities, concerned police authority, and any other local bodies like the Pollution Control Board or Ministry of Environment & Forests.
- If your project is near an airport, obtain an NOC from the Airports Authority of India.

6. Capital Structure
- Provide details of the total project cost, equity component, and sources of debt.

7. Undertaking and Fees
- Submit an undertaking in the format specified in Annexure IV.
- Pay the applicable fee online through RTGS/NEFT/Debit/Credit Card. The fees are as follows:

- 5-Star: ₹15,000
- 4-Star: ₹12,000
- 3-Star: ₹8,000
- 2-Star: ₹6,000
- 1-Star: ₹5,000
- Heritage: ₹12,000

8. Compliance and Inspections
- Allow authorized officers from the Ministry of Tourism to inspect the project without prior notice.
- Notify the Ministry immediately once the hotel becomes operational and apply for star classification within 3 months.

9. Quarterly Progress Reports
- File quarterly progress reports online. Failure to do so may lead to withdrawal of the project approval.

10. Handling Changes
- Report any changes in the project plan or management to the Ministry of Tourism or the respective Regional Indiatourism Office within 30 days. Failure to report changes may result in withdrawal of approval.

11. Application Restrictions
- Only one application for hotel project approval is allowed at a given time. Multiple applications for the same project will be rejected.

12. Room and Bathroom Size Specifications
- Ensure that your hotel’s rooms and bathrooms meet the minimum size requirements specified in the Guidelines for Classification/Re-classification of hotels.

13. Lock-In Period
- Hotels availing of subsidies or benefits must adhere to an 8-year lock-in period, ensuring they serve as budget category hotels. After this period, you can apply for an upgrade to a higher star category.

14. Checklist and Submission
- Review the Checklist of Facilities & Services (Annexure III) before submitting your application. Ensure that all documents are valid, translated into English if necessary, and uploaded online. Applications submitted by post or hand will not be accepted.

By meticulously following these guidelines and preparing a comprehensive application, you can streamline the process of obtaining star approval for your hotel. This approval is not only a mark of quality but also a significant step towards establishing your hotel's reputation and success in the competitive hospitality market.