GUIDELINES FOR PROJECT APPROVAL AND CLASSIFICATION OF TIME SHARE RESORTS.

Hotels and other supplementary accommodation are an integral part of a tourist's visit to a place and the services offered by them can make or mar a visit completely. Vacation ownership popularly known as Time Share is one of the fastest growing component of tourism.  Time Share Resorts (TSR) are increasingly becoming popular for the leisure holidays and family holidays, etc.    With the aim of providing standardized world class services to the tourists, the Government of India, Ministry of Tourism has a voluntary scheme for classification of fully operational Time Share Resorts in the  5 Star, 4 Star and 3 Star categories.

The Hotel & Restaurant Approval & Classification Committee (HRACC) inspects and assesses the  TSR based on facilities and services offered.

Project approvals are also given in all the above-mentioned categories at the project implementation stage. Classified Time Share Resorts approved/approved  projects are eligible  for various concessions and facilities that are announced by the Government from time to time besides, getting worldwide publicity through the Indiatourism Offices located in India and abroad.

TSRs and Hotels are permitted for mixed use.  However, if the TSR intends to use as hotel also i.e. mixed purpose, it must provide all facilities and amenities as required or the specified star category of hotel in accordance with the Guidelines.

TSRs will be used as vacation ownership.  In no circumstances apartments in TSR  will be sold individually for residential or any other purpose. 

TSRs including heritage and resorts which are the members of All India Resort Development Association (AIRDA) will be considered for classification/project approval.

Details of the criteria set and the documents required are given in this document.

For classification and project approvals in the 5 Star, 4 Star and 3 Star, the applications along with the requisite fees may be sent to:-

Hotel and Restaurants Division

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

C-I Hutments, Dalhousie Road, New Delhi-110001.

GENERAL TERMS, CONDITIONS & APPLICATION FORMAT FOR PROJECT APPROVAL AT PROJECT LEVEL & CLASSIFICATION  OF TIME SHARE RESORTS

1.    The Ministry of Tourism approves TSR at project stage based on documentation, which enables the TSR to get certain benefits from the Govt. as may be announced from time to time. The documents required for project approvals are listed below.

2.    Project approvals are valid for 5 years. Project approvals of the Govt. of India, Department of Tourism cease 3 months from the date that the TSR becomes operational even if all its rooms are not ready. The TSR must apply for classification within these 3 months.

3.    The Ministry of Tourism, Govt. India reserves the right to modify the guidelines/terms and conditions from time to time.

4.    Application form. This covers

                                              i.     Proposed name of the TSR

                                             ii.     Name of the promoters with a note on their business antecedents

                                           iii.     Complete postal address of the promoters/tel./fax/email

                                           iv.     Status of the owners/ promoters

1.      If Public/ private limited company with copies of Memorandum and Articles of Association

2.      If Partnership, a copy of partnership deed and certificate of registration

3.      If proprietary concern, name and address of proprietor/certificate of registration

                                             v.     Location of TSR site with postal address

                                           vi.     Details of the site

1.      Area (in sq. meters)

2.      Title – owned/ leased with copies of sale/ lease deed

3.      Copy of Land Use Permit from local authorities

4.      Distances from Railway station, airport, main shopping centers (in Kms)

                                          vii.     Details of the project

1.   Copy of feasibility report.

2.      Star category planned

3.      Number of apartments and area for each type of room (in sq.ft.)

4.      Number of attached baths and areas (in sq.ft.)

5.   Details of public areas – Lobby/lounge, restaurants, bars, shopping, banquet/ conference halls, health club, swimming pool, parking facilities.

6.   Facilities for the physically challenged persons.

7.   Eco-friendly practices and any other additional facilities     

(please indicate area in sq.ft for each facility mentioned above at 5,6 &7) 

Date by which project is expected to be completed and operational.

                                        viii.     Blue prints/ sketch plans signed by owners and architect showing

1.      Site plan

2.      Front and side elevations

3.      Floor plans for all floors

4.      Detail of guest room and bath room with dimensions in sq.ft.

5.      Details of Fire Fighting Measures/ Hydrants etc.

6.      Details of measures for energy conservation and water harvesting.

                                           ix.     Air-conditioning details for guest rooms, public areas

                                            x.     Local approvals by

1.      Municipal authorities

2.      Concerned Police Authorities

3.      Any other local authority as maybe required.

4.      Approval /NOC from Airport Authority of India for projects located near Airports

    The above mentioned approvals/NOCs are the responsibility of the promoters/concerned company as the case may be. The Department’s approval is no substitute for any statutory approval and the approval given is liable to be withdrawn in case of any violations without notice.

                                           xi.     Proposed capital structure

1.      Total project cost

a.        Equity component with details of paid up capital

b.        Debt – with current and proposed sources of funding

                                         xii.     Letter of acceptance of regulatory conditions.

                                        xiii.     Please indicate whether the promoter intends to give a few rooms or all rooms on a time- share basis.

                                        xiv.     Application Fee

5.    In the event of any changes in the project plans, the approval must be sought afresh.

6.    Authorised officers of the Department of Tourism should be allowed free access to inspect the premises from time to time without prior notice

7.    The TSR must immediately inform the Department of the date from which the TSR becomes operational and apply for classification within 3 months of this date.

8.    The fees payable for the project approval and subsequent extension, if required are as follows. The demand draft maybe payable to" Pay & Accounts Officer, Department of Tourism, New Delhi ".

9.      The promoters must forward regular progress reports for each quarter failing which the project approval would be considered withdrawn.    

10.  All documents must be valid at the time of application and a Gazetted officer or Notary must duly certify copies furnished to the Department. Documents in local languages should be accompanied by a translation in English/official language and be duly certified.

11.  For any change in the category the promoters must apply afresh with a fresh application form and requisite fees for the category applied for.

12.  Any changes in the project plans or management should be informed to the, Department of Tourism/Regional Directors Office (For 3,2 &1 Star categories)  (for 5-D, 5, 4 Star and Heritage categories) within 30 days otherwise the approval will stand withdrawn/terminated.

13.  Applicants are requested to go through the checklist of facilities and services contained in this document before applying.

14.  Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

15.  The Govt. India Ministry of Tourism reserves the right to modify the guidelines/terms and conditions from time to time

TSR Classification/ Reclassification

1.    Classification for newly operational TSR must be sought within 3 months of completion of approved TSR projects. Operating TSR’s may opt for classification at any stage. However, TSRs seeking re-classification should apply for reclassification one year prior to the expiry of the current period of classification.

2.    If the TSR fails to reapply three months before the expiry of the classification order, the application will be treated as a fresh classification case.

3.    Once a TSR applies for classification/ re-classification, it should be ready at all times for inspection by the HRACC. No requests for deferment of inspection will be entertained.

4.    Classification will be valid for 5 (Five) years from the date of issue of orders or in case of reclassification from the date of expiry of the last classification provided that the application has been received within the stipulated time mentioned above, along with all valid documents. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

5.    TSRs applying for classification must provide the following documentation.

a.    Application Form detailing

                                              i.     Name of the TSR

                                             ii.     Name and address of the promoters/owners with a note on their business antecedents

                                           iii.     Complete postal address of the hotel with tel. no/fax/email

                                           iv.     Status of the owners/ promoters

1.    If Public/ private limited company with copies of Memorandum and Articles of Association

2.    If Partnership, a copy of partnership deed and certificate of registration

3.    If proprietary concern, name and address of proprietor/certificate of registration.

                                             v.      Date on which the hotel became operational.

                                           vi.     Details of hotel site with postal address and distance from Airport/Railway Station/City Centre/Downtown shopping area (in kms)

                                          vii.     Details of the hotel

1.      Area (in sq. metres) with title – owned/ leased with copies of sale/ lease deed

2.      Copy of Land Use Permit from local authorities

3.      Star category being applied for

4.      Number of rooms and area for each type of room in sq.ft. (single/double/suites)

5.      Number of attached baths

6.      Details of public areas – Lobby/lounge, restaurants, bars, shopping area, banquet/ conference halls, health club, swimming pool, parking facilities, facilities for the physically challenged persons, Eco-friendly practices and any other additional facilities. The area for each facility should be indicated in sq.ft

7.      Detail of guestroom and bathroom with dimensions in sq.ft.

8.      Details of Fire Fighting Measures/ Hydrants etc.

9.      Details of measures for energy conservation and water harvesting and other Eco- friendly measures and initiatives.

10.   Air-conditioning details for guest rooms, public areas Certificates/No Objection Certificates (attested copies)

a)     Certificate/ licence from Municipality/ Corporation to show that your establishment is registered as a hotel

b)     Certificate/ licence from concerned Police Department authorizing the running of a hotel<