Hotels are an important component of the tourism product. They contribute in the overall tourism experience through the standards of facilities and services offered by them. With the aim of providing contemporary standards of facilities and services available in the accomodation units, the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has formulated a voluntary scheme for classification of operational accomodation units which will be applicable to the following categories: Accommodation Units - A entity that provides room or group of rooms designed to provide accommodation to a guest. Following are its sub-categories: Hotel: An accommodation unit providing at least a reception, accommodation and may also provide food and beverage facilities and other ancillary services. Star Category Hotels : Star Deluxe, 5 Star, 4 Star, 3 Star, 2 Star & 1 Star Resort: An accommodation Unit that is located at tourist destinations (such as hill stations, sea beaches, countryside, remote areas of cities and other locations) and combine stay facilities with leisure activities. Bed & Breakfast: An accommodation unit where tourist accommodation and breakfast are provided. Homestay: An Accommodation Unit where room for rent in a resident-occupied house or flat is provided with meals. Timeshare Resort: An Accommodation Unit in which multiple parties hold rights to use the rooms, and each member is allotted a period of time. Apartment Hotel: A hotel where accommodation is providing in rooms with additional space & facilities, like studios or apartments. Tented Accommodation: An accommodation unit where rooms are made of fabric for ease of transport. These may be at any location including camping sites. Guest House: An Accommodation Unit where tourist accommodation and meals are provided. Farm Stay: An accommodation unit which is typically of rural accommodation on an operating farm. Lodge & Tourist Home: An Accommodation Unit located mostly in a rural environment or outskirts. Houseboat: Accommodation provided on static or mobile boats with catering facilities. Heritage: Hotels running in palaces / castles / forts / havelies / hunting loges / residence of any size built prior to 1950. The facade, architectural features and general construction should have the distinctive qualities and ambience in keeping with the traditional way of life of the area. After expansion/renovation, if any, the newly built-up area added should not exceed 50% of the total built up (plinth) area including the old and new structures. Heritage Category Hotels: Heritage Grand, Heritage Classic & Heritage Basic Motel: An Accommodation Unit located on a major road or highway, with nearby parking facilities, and are specifically designed largely for tourists travelling by road. Legacy Vintage: A hotel constructed/built with material from heritage properties/buildings (i.e. properties or buildings which were built/ constructed/erected prior to the year 1950), provided that at least 50% of the material used to construct / build the hotel is sourced from heritage properties or buildings. Hotel classification guidelines have been streamlined to make them simple, transparent and time bound. The application for classification and payments of fees have been made through digital platform only and the all other options of application have been done away with. This has ensured the eradication of possibility of delay/manipulation caused by human interference. Use of the NIDHI platform National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI) platform enables stakeholders like Accommodation Units, Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Independent Restaurants etc. will be able to register their entities on this platform and avail electronic delivery of various services and benefits through a Unique NIDHI ID (NID) allocated to them. The NIDHI ID (NID) is a unique national identifier for relevant stakeholders in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry who register on this platform. The NID will act as a National Level Registry to improve delivery of services and avail benefits and incentives, for example, showcasing of registered entities on Tourism portals like Incredible India, IRCTC, NIDHI etc. Apart from this, registered entities can apply for relevant Certification/Classification/Recognition etc. The NID can also be integrated and made interoperable with other stakeholders and relevant authorities for ease for doing business. NIDHI will also serve as a platform for the Hospitality organisations to ideate, share best practices and connect with the Government for ease of doing business. Process to be followed Register only if you are: An Accommodation Unit A Tourism Service Provider: Travel Agent, Tour Operator, Tourist Transport Operator An Online Travel Aggregator A Food Business Operator: Standalone Restaurant, Standalone Air Catering Unit A Convention Cente A Tourist Facilitator or a Tourist Guide Please keep the following handy while registering on NIDHI GST & PAN Number of your unit FSSAI License Number, if applicable Valid Email ID Mobile Number A NIDHI ID (NID) will be issued to you after successful registration. Please save the username & password for availing services as and when available. To begin the process, visit https://nidhi.tourism.gov.in/mynidhi/#/register/00 Source : NIDHI portal Related resource Revised guidelines for Classification / Re - classification of Hotels.