Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has described the Jammu and Kashmir Homestay Policy, 2026, as a decisive step towards sustainable tourism, local entrepreneurship and livelihood generation across the Union Territory. The government has formally notified the framework following approval by the Council of Ministers.
The policy establishes a simplified framework for expanding quality tourist accommodation, with particular emphasis on rural, border, heritage and emerging destinations that have so far remained at the margins of the region’s tourism map. For years, visitor traffic in Kashmir has been concentrated in a handful of well known locations, placing pressure on hotels and infrastructure there while leaving other areas with little share of the economic benefit. By enabling resident homeowners to host guests, the new framework seeks to widen that footprint.
At the core of the policy is a streamlined registration system with Silver and Gold classifications, determined by the facilities on offer along with hygiene and safety standards. Eligible residential properties may also be registered as Bed and Breakfast establishments. Provisional Silver registration will be granted within 28 days of submission of a complete application and will remain valid for six months, a timeline that addresses the common complaint of prolonged approvals.
Financial support forms the second pillar of the policy. It envisages a 35 per cent subsidy under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, subject to a maximum project funding support of ₹20 lakh and the applicable guidelines. Eligible homestays will also receive domestic utility tariff benefits, which should lower running costs for small operators. To promote clean energy, the policy facilitates solar subsidies under the PM Surya Ghar scheme and access to low-cost credit through Jammu and Kashmir Bank, subject to the relevant schemes and guidelines.
The Chief Minister said the initiative would help take tourism beyond traditional destinations, strengthen local economies and ensure that the benefits of tourism reach communities across Jammu and Kashmir. Officials expect the policy to encourage community participation, diversify the accommodation options available to visitors and open fresh avenues of income for local households.
The homestay model also carries cultural weight. It allows visitors to experience Kashmiri hospitality, cuisine and heritage directly from host families, a form of travel that has grown in popularity as tourists look for authentic and less crowded experiences. The success of the policy will now depend on how quickly applications are processed, how consistently standards are enforced and how effectively subsidies and credit reach first-time entrepreneurs on the ground.
