Convention Hall License

The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) acknowledges the growing Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. It encourages the opening of more convention and exhibition centres for this purpose. Thus, the Ministry grants a Convention Hall License to encourage investment and standardise facilities at convention centres. This article takes you through the process of obtaining a conventional hall license which can also serve different purposes such as a banquet hall or a marriage hall. 

Benefits of a Convention Hall License

Obtaining a convention hall license comes with a range of benefits, some of which are listed below:

• Concessions under Section 80-ID of the Income Tax Act.
• Priority consideration at the Government authorities for various requirements.
• Eligible for consideration from Municipal, State, and Union levels or a semi or quasi-government body.
• Eligible for allocation of foreign exchange for its necessary import of equipment and provisions, if approved at the project stage.
• Worldwide publicity through tourist literature published by the MOT and its distribution among its offices in India and abroad.
• Suitability to apply to the Indian Industrial Finance Corporation and the State Financial Corporations for loans.

These benefits of a convention or banquet hall license help in the smooth functioning and promotion of your convention hall. Please note that the availability of these benefits may vary depending on the current government policies and regulations in India.

Eligibility Criteria

Here are the important convention hall licensing requirements: 

Convention Hall

You must have at least one convention hall with audio-visual conferencing equipment, a high-fidelity recording facility, video projection/graphs, etc. You must have skilled manpower at various levels.

Mini Convention Halls

You must have a minimum of two convention halls for seminars, committees, meetings, etc.

Exhibition Hall

An exhibition hall is necessary for banquet hall approval and licensing. The exhibition centre must accommodate at least 20 booths of 3 mts by 3 mts in size.

Restaurant

Having a restaurant is mandatory to get a license for a convention hall operation. Restaurants should comply with the existing HRACC guidelines laid down by the Ministry. 

Parking

Parking facilities to accommodate not less than 50 cars and 5 coaches are a requirement for a banquet hall license. 

Residential Accommodation

In the banquet hall licensing process, the residential accommodation requirements apply only if desired. They must adhere to the Ministry's guidelines for the respective star category of hotels.

Infrastructure Facilities

In addition to the above facilities, a convention hall license also necessitates the following:

• Landscaped forefront
• Exhibition management centre
• Administrative facilities for a corporate office including IITTM/Internet, etc.
• Trade show/ fair facilities such as Tourist Office, bank and money changing facilities, Travel Desk, STD/ISD, Press Lounge, VIP Lounges, etc.
• Technical facilities like plant room, electric substation, stores, electric power back-up system, fire hydrant, etc.
• Gate complex for stipulating entry and exit
• Information booths
• Public convenience
• Stationery shops and kiosks
• Public address system
• First aid with doctor-on-call facilities
• Security office and booths for security arrangements
• Storage complex for custom storage and handling, etc
• Fire safety arrangements
• Locker facilities
• Handicrafts shops, souvenir shops
• Facilities for the physically disabled
• Other facilities to enhance customer satisfaction

Documents Required

To obtain a convention hall permit, the following documents must be submitted:

• A project report detailing the feasibility of the convention centre and amenities to be provided.
• Documents related to the location of the convention site and its postal address. The site must be accessible and suitable to accommodate domestic and international business travellers.
• Copy of Land/Property Use Permission with blueprints approved by the State Authority and signed by the architect.
• Ownership deed of the land.
• Urban land ceiling certificate, if applicable.
• Approval of International Airport Authority of India/ Director General of Civil Aviation if the site is near the airport.
• Name and Business antecedents of the promoters.
• Proposed ownership structure with full information about whether the project will be owned by an individual(s), a firm or a company.
• Estimated cost of the project and the proposed fundraising methods to meet the required investments.

Apart from these, the MOT has prescribed some regulatory conditions to be adhered to and whose acceptance must be furnished in the form. This is necessary to obtain permission for a marriage venue or a convention hall:

• Documents relating to the legal status of the convention hall project.
• Any licenses and/or approvals from local administration and/or other concerned authorities.
• In case of any changes to the project plans submitted, the process of convention venue regulatory approvals must start afresh. 

For updated information on getting a marriage hall license and permit, visit the official website of the Ministry of Tourism. 

Applicable Fee

The applicable fees to obtain a permit for a banquet hall operation are as follows:

It is best to check with your local authorities for the most up-to-date information on the fees for a conventional hall license.

Procedure for the Approval of Convention Hall License

To receive legal permission for a marriage hall, you must follow the below procedure as set by the MOT:

1. Access the Website

For permission to operate a marriage hall, you can apply online with the official web portal of Classification, Occupancy and Approval of Hotels. 

2. Registration

If you are a new user, complete your registration in the portal by clicking on the ‘New Registration’ link.

3. Log In

With your set user ID and password, log in to your account.

4. Application Form

Click ‘Apply for Approval of Convention Hall License’ to access the application form.

5. Enter Your Details

Provide all the details requested in the form and click ‘Save and Proceed’.

6. Documentation

Upload the required documents and click ‘Save and Proceed’. For a smooth approval process, ensure all the necessary documents are submitted accurately.

7. Payment

Complete the application fee payment using Debit/Credit Card/RTGS/NEFT.

8. Inspection Process

The last step of your application as part of your marriage hall approval requirements is the inspection process. Your convention hall license application will be inspected by the Hotel and Restaurant Approval and Classification Committee (HRACC). 

Since the convention site is expected to maintain the necessary standards at all times, the HRACC would come for inspection at any time without notice. Its members may be held overnight for a complete inspection of the hall’s services. 

Certificates of approval will be issued under the signatures of the concerned Regional Director subject to the approval of the competent authority. The convention hall must adhere to the tenets of the Code of Conduct for Safe and Honourable Tourism. 

These are the complete legal requirements for a marriage hall license. It's recommended to consult with the relevant government authorities or licensing agencies for the most up-to-date information as these procedures are subject to change. 

Business Loan for Convention Hall

A convention hall project can be heavy on the pocket if you’re self-financing. Business loans can be an effective way to secure the necessary funds and ensure smooth project execution. Here’s why a business loan is a valuable funding option:

• Business loans have an easy application process that can be often completed online from the comfort of your home.
• Business loans typically offer flexible repayment options that help you manage your EMIs while maintaining a steady cash flow for your hall’s operations.
• Business loans can be unsecured, up to a certain limit. Thus, you don’t have to risk any valuable personal or business assets. 

Conclusion

Getting a convention hall license can become easier if you are well-informed about its procedure and the costs involved. Once you have the license, ensuring the smooth running of the hall will require significant funding. SMFG India Credit can help you meet both short-term and long-term business finance needs with an unsecured business loan of up to INR 75 lakhs*. Apply online to avail of competitive interest rates and flexible tenures of up to 48 months.