Thursday, September 30, 2010

Bed & Breakfast Scheme: Should Govt. fix the room tariff


After getting huge response in many cities of the world, Bed & Breakfast Scheme was introduced in Delhi too. Read on to know in detail about the B&B Scheme in Delhi.
Homestays
What is a Bed & Breakfast Scheme?
Before discussing any further on the Bed & Breakfast Scheme in India, it is important to know what exactly is this scheme all about? “Incredible India Bed and Breakfast (B&B) Establishments” is launched in 2008 to provide a comfortable and clean place to stay for domestic and foreign tourists in India. The aim is to provide the tourists all the home like facilities in the Indian metros. It will be given to foreign tourists by making them stay in an Indian family that will make them experience the real India. As the name suggests, Bed & Breakfast facilities in India will provide everything from bed to breakfast to the tourists.Bed & Breakfast facilities in India is largely categorized in two categories, including, silver and gold.
Main Objective of the B&B Scheme:
It is important to know about the main objective of launching the Bed & Breakfast Scheme in India. The first and foremost objective is to provide clean and affordable home like accommodation facilities to the tourists arriving in India. It is a scheme that aims to give the foreign tourists an opportunity to feel the customs and experience the traditions of the country. Foreign tourists will get the chance to relish the traditional Indian cuisine during their stay with an Indian family.
Tej Abode
Homestay in Delhi , Tej Abode
The Bed and Breakfast Establishments will be regularly inspected and assessed by the Regional Classification Committee on terms of the services that are offered by them. It has been declared that these establishments once approved by the Ministry of Tourism will duly get publicized. Not only this, a proper directory mentioning about such establishments will be published so as to help the foreign tourists coming to India for opting the right B&B establishment for them.
Preventing Chandigarh B&B Scheme Failure in Delhi
An important factor to consider while launching the B&B scheme in Delhi is to take proper precautions so as to prevent what happened in Chandigarh. A similar B&B scheme was launched in Chandigarh some time back but now the contracts of all the 25 homes that were registered have been cancelled. It was observed that operators violated the bylaws and accommodated about 30 guests in their home’s basements and made them park their cars in streets creating nuisance for the neighbors.
The Estate, New Delhi
The Estate, New Delhi
Perhaps, the only solid solution to prevent such a happening in Delhi’s B&B scheme would be that the government should fix the room tariff. Strict guidelines should be declared beforehand so as to prevent such a happening in Delhi. As per the government’s plan, in the silver category of Delhi’s B&B scheme, Rs.3000 will be charged as application fees and the fees is Rs. 5000 for the gold category.
To sum it up we can say that, Bed & Breakfast Scheme in Delhi can be a hit provided government is strict in its norms and rules and leaves no scope for any corruption.
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Saturday, September 25, 2010

Rural Tourism: will it help to build the Country's Brand Image


Rural tourism
To sell anything it is important to build a brand image. Perhaps, this is the strategy now India is adapting too. In order to promote Indian tourism, rural tourism is been promoted these days. Interestingly, India is the country with the largest holidays therefore giving many reasons for the people to roam around in and out India. Read on to know whether rural tourism will really help building country’s brand image?
First of all, let’s first clear the concept of rural tourism for you. In government terms or in broad terms, rural tourism is any type of tourism that showcases the rural life, culture, art and heritage of the rural places of India. Thereby, helping the local community both socially and economically by an increase in tourism. Rural tourism is usually experience oriented and at locations that are sparsely populated and full of natural environments and local events. Just like ecotourism focuses on environment, rural tourism focuses on the rural life of a country.
Rural Tourism
Rustic Charm – Attracting Foreign Tourists
India, often known as the land of snake charmers is best characterized for its rustic charm. So, why won’t the same rustic charm help in attracting foreign tourists? It is a fact known that rural India is simple incredible and full of a variety of arts, dances, cuisines and cultures. Government is not just trying to make a brand image of the country through rural tourism but it is also trying to promote local art and craft based culture of India so that the rural people can earn sustainable livelihoods.
Foreigners being attracted by rural states
Foreigners being attracted by rural states
Another thing that help is promoting rural tourism of India is the abundance of festivals and fairs in rural India. Foreign tourists are attracted with the fests of India like the Jatra Festival, Vasanta Utsav, Poush Mela, Pushkar Mela, Jhoolan and other such fests and melas. Needless to say, that a foreign tourist who explores the rural India is hardly left untouched by the excitement of this world that is full of lively adventure and serene experience. People of rural India are known for their pure hearts and hospitable nature that indeed helps building the country’s brand image.
Main Objectives of Rural Tourism in India
Now, have a look at the main objectives of rural tourism in India:
  • The first and foremost objective of promoting rural tourism is to showcase sustainable tourism. It is also a way of letting foreigners understand the ordinary and everyday life of the rural India and thereby raising its standard.
  • Another object is to generate a good amount of revenue and a good source of income for the local people, especially craftsmen and artisans to encourage their art.
  • Rural tourism in India also aims to promote the historical monuments, their environment, dwellings, town layout and lanes. In other words, rural tourism will help conserving the country’s rural heritage.
Rural homestay - Emerald Trail, Bhimtal
To conclude, we can say that rural tourism will definitely help building the country’s brand image to a great extent and it is already helping it.
Rural Tourism
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Success or failure of Bed & Breakfast scheme in Delhi


B&B - Delhi
India, is a travelers delight and its capital is obviously seen as a must visit place for more than one reason. Perhaps, this is where the need to have Bed & Breakfast Scheme in Delhi has become necessary. Though, Delhi is full of several hotels and guesthouses of different ranges, the homely feel is missed by domestic and foreign tourists and this can be fulfilled by a B&B scheme. Now, if you are thinking whether such a scheme will be successful in Delhi or not, then read on to get an answer yourself.
Delhi
Bed & Breakfast Schemes in Delhi for Commonwealth Games Visitors
Delhi-Commonwealth Games 2010
Common Wealth games 2010It is a truth unhidden that the reason forthe launch of Bed & Breakfast Scheme in  Delhi is the upcoming Commonwealth Games.. It has been observed that Delhi is in shortage of approximately 30,000 rooms for visitors for the upcoming games to be held in  October 2010. The ministry of tourism has estimated arrival of approximately, 53,000 domestic tourists and 140,000 foreign   tourists for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
So, many home owners have agreed to participate in the B&B scheme in order to earn an extra source of income by providing extra rooms to the tourists and offering them comfortable facilities required for a stay. Such B&B Schemes have been running in many other stats and countries of the world but not everywhere were they found to be successful. The main role of making the scheme successful lies is either in the hands of the government or the families that will provide theB&B facilities to the tourists.
B&B - Delhi
Homestay in Delhi, Tez Abode
Things That Can Make B&B Scheme in Delhi Successful
It is not impossible to make B&B scheme in Delhi successful, provided the following things are fulfilled:
  • If the tourists will get world class facilities with a homely touch, the scheme will be a hit in Delhi.
  • All safety precautions and measures should be kept in mind by installing smoke detectors and by appointing security guards for the safety of the guests.
  • A hospitable welcome and treatment by the host family to the guests in this scheme will cover up any shortcoming if any arising in the scheme.
  • The scheme promises every comfort required for a stay, including the bed, breakfast, bathroom and other essential requirements. So, providing all these with hygiene and on time will make the scheme successful.
  • Every measure should be taken by the government authorities to keep a check on the homes providing B&B facilities to the guests, so that the Chandigarh B&B case is not repeated, where the hosts made more and more guests stay in their basements and parkings.
To conclude, we can say that nothing can be said for sure about the success or failure of Bed & BreakfastScheme in Delhi. It will be seen and observed gradually but government is not leaving any stone untouched to make the scheme successful in the Indian capital.
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Monday, September 20, 2010

"Vacation Homes Market In India"


The term vacation home or vacation rental is new to India but it is very popular in the US travel industry. If you are interested to know vacation homes and the present scenario ofvacation homes market in India, then read on. In this article, you will get to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of vacation homes, the key facts about this market in India and how vacation rental management can turn out into big profits.
Vacation Homes in India
Vacation Homes, as the name suggests are homes meant for enjoying vacations. One can really earn handsomely by renting out vacation homes. All one needs is to buy a location at a popular destination that is visited by a number of tourists on a regular basis. After this renting such a vacation home on small duration rents can fetch really good money. After a major success in the US, this market of vacation homes is slowly increasing in India too. Now, let us talk about some advantages and disadvantages of vacation rentals in a general sense. Vacation rentals are usually considered cost savings. Those who avail this service save a lot of money in the form of tips, taxes and service charges. Moreover, by opting to stay in vacation homes, a tourist gets to stay in more space as compared to hotels. Apart from this, staying in a vacation home means getting a kitchen to cook your food and a living room just like your home. In short, staying in a vacation home means almost staying at home.
The Mall, Mussoorie
Vacation Home in Mussoorie, The Mall
One major discomfort often observed among those who get to stay in a vacation home on rent is that they have to interact with the property owner directly. Sometimes, lack of staff at the vacation home is also considered as a discomfort for tourists. In some cases, there are also hygiene and cleanliness concerns.
Vacation home in Goa
Le Bleu Villa,Goa
Now, have a look at the recent key facts about the vacation home rental market in India:
  • Most of the holiday homes are rent out for vacation and as home stays for the rest of the year.
  • About 54% of second homes in India are bought particularly for recreational use like holidays and vacations.
  • As per a survey, second home sales increased by up to 50% during 2002 – 2007.
  • Second Homes account make about 3-4% of total home sales per year.
  • In India, NRIs are considered to be the most potential customers for vacation properties.
  • In India, Kerala is the most popular destination for second home or vacation home and in Kerala, Wayanad is on the top slot.
  • Vacation home sales in India have tremendously rose during the last 15 years.
  • To get leading vacation homes in India you can surf at The Other Home.
To sum it up, we can’t say that how successful the future of vacation home market in India would be but we could definitely say that this market is going to stay for long in India.
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