From wooden cottages to heritage cottages perked on cliffs, travellers are constantly seeking unforgettable travel experiences that provide a local flavour and a home away from home. It is no surprise that India’s homestay market has had a phenomenal growth , after the Covid 19 Pandemic. Homestay in a real sense gives a unique and varied experience to the traveller where they interact with the family of the host and get to know about their culture. A host is always a great source of first-hand local cities knowledge, by acting as a guide for the traveller, whether be a tourist attraction, local eateries, shopping or any kind of travel guidance/assistance. Most of the times a stay at a homestay becomes a memory for the travellers, travelling from other part of the country or a foreign country . Data shows that homestays are a viable option for travellers as well as entrepreneurs , implying demand and supply both growing and enlarging the pie or gross value added, in economic terms. India’s domestic travel market is around $ 35bn at end of 2023, as per rough estimates and 7% of that is homestay market which is growing in double digits. With post pandemic foreign tourist arrivals surging from 6.4 million in 2022 to 9.3 million in 2023, the homestay market would be sustained by both domestic and foreign tourists.
However, tourist satisfaction is integral to growth of homestay markets. And for that sustainability of homestay tourism is essential. This sustainability has to be three pronged: (a) Economic (b) Social and (c) Environmental. Economic Sustainability means income earning by the locals and income with equity and diversity. Economic Sustainability also means Infrastructural facilities like access to roads, availability of transportation, uninterrupted power & internet . Social Sustainability is ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ or treating tourists as God by the locals , following Indian culture and tradition . Environmental Sustainability is Environmental Protection and Integration of homestay with environment e.g. eating farm grown food, using waste as compost and zero pollution. We think decision-makers must be concerned with the social and cultural sustainability of the homestay. In order to increase tourism activity, host community must be given the opportunity to engage with travellers, get knowledge of the culture, and gain access to the history and culture of the place. Inadequately trained guides would not encourage tourist flow. Also, Safety of the visitors is highly important and for that structuring some homestay rules would be essential for a conducive environment. Finally, upgrading the host-guest communication, improving the enrolment and management of grievances, would lead to sustainable and growing tourism . Placing a body to ensure fair communication and delivery of promised services would help.
What are your thoughts on homestay tourism? Do share them with us.