Guides

Written for owners of homestays and small travel businesses. Each guide lists its sources.

• How to register a homestay in Himachal Pradesh (2025 rules)

  Who must register under the Himachal Pradesh Home Stay Rules 2025, the Silver, Gold and Diamond categories, the fees reported so far, documents, and where to apply.

• How to take direct bookings and pay less OTA commission

  A practical plan for homestays and small hotels: keep the booking apps for new guests, and bring repeat guests, WhatsApp enquiries and Google searches to your own website.

• WhatsApp bookings for homestays: a simple setup that works

  How a homestay can take bookings on WhatsApp without losing track: the Business app, a click-to-chat link, quick replies, an availability calendar and a UPI advance.

• Google Business Profile for homestays: set it up and get found

  How a homestay or guesthouse gets on Google Maps: which category fits, how video verification works, what to put on the profile, and linking it to your own website.

• OTA commission calculator

  What booking-app commission costs you in a year, against a flat plan.