India makes some room for B&B culture - Sonya Fatah

A few years ago, Pervez Hameed was browsing the Internet when he came across the term "bed and breakfast." He knew nothing about the concept but was intrigued.

His wife, two sons and mother lived together in a six-bedroom house in an upscale residential area in south Delhi. The Hameeds loved company. Mr. Hameed's wife, Lubna, was a great cook, and they had extra space. A bed and breakfast sounded like it was right up their alley.

The couple converted three rooms, got the necessary government permissions, sent out marketing messages to overseas networks, and set up a website: http://www.delhibedandbreakfast.com. In May, 2005, they entertained their first guest and reorganized their lifestyle to accommodate, at first a trickle and then a steady stream of foreign travellers, medical tourists, and business people. By early this year, almost 700 visitors had passed through their home.

Mr. Hameed was one of the first in India's capital city to embrace B&B culture. A little over a year after he opened the doors to his home, the Ministry of Tourism launched a bed and breakfast program with tax incentives, calling on residents of Delhi's swanky southern suburbs to follow in Mr. Hameed's footsteps.

India is struggling to keep up with an influx of foreign tourists, businessmen and official visitors flocking here in increasing numbers every year. Its major cities boast dozens of five-star hotels and luxury properties but cannot cope with the demand for rooms.

In 2005, 93 approved hotels provided 10,159 rooms. In 2006, that number sprang to 120 hotels with 12,091 rooms, but the shortage is still a concern. Last year the tourism ministry recorded 3.92 million foreign visitors to India, and "we are expecting a growth rate of 13 to 15 per cent this year," says Raj Vir Mittal, an assistant director in the Ministry of Tourism. He points to new flights offered by Thai Airways, Continental Airlines and Finnair as a reason for the influx.

And with 90,000 additional visitors expected to arrive in Delhi for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the government's B&B plan may be coming just in time.

Getting approved as a B&B takes about a month, and is not a terribly bureaucratic process. Police provide official verification stating the owner does not have a criminal record. The owner of the house presents ownership documents. Finally, a committee comprised of tourism officials and police inspects the facilities and approves or rejects the property.

To date, the Ministry of Tourism's "Paying Guest Residential Accommodation" website reflects 78 approved properties. "On the one hand there is huge demand and on the other you have a massive inventory of rooms lying vacant within private houses, which owners would be only too happy to let out to tourists," said Atul Chautvedi, director of the Ministry of Tourism, on the launch of the program.

The government hopes to provide 30,000 rooms in two years, but currently only 240 rooms have been added to Delhi's accommodation offerings. There is some confusion about the tax advantages, and some residents expressed discomfort about opening their homes.

For Mr. Hameed, the experience has been fulfilling. Their home has grown to offer amenities such as wireless Internet, tour packages and beauty treatments. But the government's program means that, despite a head start, the Hameeds can expect competition.

"There are any many more beautiful properties and good hosts that will enter the market but we have established our credibility," Mr. Hameed said.