REGISTRATION OF HOME STAY UNITS 1. INTRODUCTION With the aim of providing standard Home Stay facilities and to supplement the demand of accommodation at various tourist destinations, Sri Lanka Tourism introduce Home Stay scheme in “ Wonder of Asia”- Sri Lanka. The main idea is to provide clean, comfortable and affordable supplementary accommodation to tourists to stay with local host to experience the local customs, traditions, authentic cuisine and many more and to engage and integrate to share great experience. Home Stay units once approved by Standards & Quality Assurance division of the Sri Lanka Tourism will be duly publicized. A accommodation guide of all such establishments will also be prepared, so as to enable domestic as well as foreign tourists to live in a homely environment and to take advantage of the scheme. In addition, efforts will be made to organize trainings in hospitality trade to those, who would opt for such training. 2. OBJECTIVES
Add accredited units for the home stay unit category. Broaden the stake holders base in tourism Expand tourism related activities to rural and interior areas To support the demand for supplementary accommodation in urban areas Provide employment and economic benefits to local community Sustainable and responsible development of Eco and rural tourism
3. DEFINITION Home Stay Unit Any private house located in good condition and easily accessible in the country will primarily qualify to register as a home Stay unit. The house shall fulfill the minimum requirement of having one or more room’s accommodation subject to a maximum of five rooms to cover under the scheme with each room having separate attach bathroom facility, which will be made available to the tourists as Home Stay accommodation. Interested are at liberty to submit fresh proposals for approval for setting up home stay unit in the country side under the Sri Lanka Tourism Accommodation Accommodation under the scheme would mean the room accommodation of minimum standard sizes with attached bathroom facility reasonably furnished and ready for letting out to the tourists/guests as prescribed under the said scheme. The standard size for double and single bed room accommodation is 120 sq . ft. and100 sq.ft respectively and 30 sqft for bathroom/toilet.
4. CONDITIONS FOR REGISTRATION 1) The scheme shall be operative in entire Sri Lanka. 2) It is compulsory that all home stay units under the scheme should register and license with Sri Lanka Tourism 3) The proprietor of the house to be registered under the scheme and classification under the scheme should submit an application to Sri Lanka Tourism with all information and relevant documents. 4) Standard and Quality Assurance Division of Sri Lanka Tourism, as specified in the guidelines, would ensure to conduct an inspection of the premises within thirty (30) days of submitting the application before registering such home stay unit s and would ensure the location, facilities, surrounding environment, hygiene, cleanliness, security, architectural designs and safety of the tourist. 5) Once an establishment applies for registration/classification/reclassification, it will have to be ready at all times for inspection by the officials of Sri Lanka Tourism. No request for deferment of inspection will be entertained. 6) The type of meals to be offered will have to be specified, the charges will have to be displayed and the visitors will have to be informed in advance so as to avoid unnecessary disputes. 7) The quality of the facilities and services will be evaluated by a committee of Sri Lanka Tourism. 8) Due preference will be accorded to homes which are able to provide Sri Lankan experience by way of decor, traditions and authentic cuisine etc.The house unit should ensure the location, environment, architectural design, facilities, services ,cleanliness , hygiene, security and safety of tourists of very high standards. 9) The Home stay units will be categorized as follows as per the facilities and Services provided. a) Standards b) Deluxe Home stay units obtained more than 80% of the total of 300 marks are categorized as Deluxe and Home stay units obtained more than 50% of the total of 300 marks are categorized as Standards. 10) Inspection fee should be paid, when submitting the application and the registration fee of Rs.2500.00 should be paid after the inspection carried out. 11) A certificate of registration will be issued on evaluation of the standards as per the Check List.
12) Any deficiency /short comings notified by the committee during inspection will be informed on the spot, and to be rectified within three (03) months and intimated to the Sri Lanka Tourism for the re-inspection of the premises. 13) The committee may recommend registration in a category either higher or lower than the one applied for. Incase the category applied for is lower then than the one recommended by the committee, then the applicant has the right to reapply for required category after fulfilling the standards. 14) In case of being dissatisfied with the decision of the committee, the proprietor may appeal in writing to the Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism within thirty (30) days of the official communication. 15) The home stay unit is expected to maintain required standard at all times. Sri Lanka Tourism will conduct a surprise inspection of the house at any time without previous notice. 16) In case of failure to maintain required quality and service standard, hygiene condition, misbehavior or malpractices, the registration will be cancelled by Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism, after giving reasonable time period to rectify same. 17) Any complaint from any guest in Home stays accommodation to the Sri Lanka Tourism, will be investigated and if found guilty the registration will be cancelled by Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism. 18) Any change in facilities, refurbishment / upgrading or extensions should be informed in writing to Sri Lanka Tourism within 30 days. If any violation of this comes to the notice of the committee, then the classification will stand withdrawn/terminated. 19) Sri Lanka Tourism will list all registered Home stay units in official website, free of charge and release print brochures, advertisements periodically. 20) The registered Home Stay units are allowed to do own marketing and promotion activities. 21) Sri Lanka Tourism will organized training programs on hospitality industry which need to provide with good quality service and facilities for tourists. 22) The relaxation of taxes/fees for Home Stay units has been provided in order to diversify the tourists from oversaturated areas to other areas and to give a boost to
home stay to ensure participation of local inhabitants in the sector and make it a house hold affair. Under the said objective, Home stay units will be exempted from Tourism Development Levy (TDL) and VAT up to three (03) years from the date of registration. 23) The registration/classification will be valid for two (02) years from the date of the registration / classification. A fresh application should be submitted to Sri Lanka Tourism, three (03) months before the expiry of the registration for re- inspection / evaluation. 5. RESPOSIBILITY OF THE HOME STAY OWNER UNDER THE SCHEME 1. Every Home Stay unit owner shall get registered with Sri Lanka Tourism an d follow the guidelines framed there under for the Home Stay Unit guidelines, which shall be binding o the owner of the home stay unit. 2. The owner of the home stay unit shall at all times maintain the minimum standards of the cleanliness, Sanitation, quality food etc. 3. In case of un-hygienic conditions, misbehavior, malpractices, failure to maintain required standards etc. The registration of the home stay unit will be cancelled after giving a reasonable opportunity to the owner. The cancellation will be done by the director General of the Sri Lanka Tourism. 4. The owner shall maintain a register for letting out the rooms to the tourists, which can be inspected by the concerned. The register will have the same format as those presently being used in the Hotels/Guest Houses. 5. The owner shall maintain a bill book/Home Stay pad for issuing the bills to the tourists with a stamp. 6. The owner shall display a registration certificate of the Home Stay Unit for the information of the tourist.
