Govt's 'Home-Stay' tourism initiative gaining popularity

The government's initiative for providing economical accommodations to foreign tourists under the Home-Stay scheme is gaining popularity with private players taking it to a higher level.    

Under the scheme, a person having large accommodations can provide rooms on rent to tourists and visitors will be able to get a taste of the local culture and food.     

Mahindra & Mahindra group company Club Mahindra Holidays, which entered into the space July last year, has undertaken a nation-wide training programme to give a boost to the scheme.    

"More than 70 home owners have associated with us for offering the Home-Stay concept until May 31, 2009," Club Mahindra Holidays Managing Director Ramesh Ramanathan informed.     

He said, these houses are spread over the states which are considered as popular tourist destinations like Kerela, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Karnataka.     

Ramanathan added that the company has undertaken a nation-wide training programme for these house owners.     

Travel portal Yatra.Com has also initiated a project under which people interested in providing such accommodations can registered themselves on its website.

"At the moment under the Home-Stay scheme, there are 170 rooms with us and people can register free of cost on our website," Mudit Khosla of Yatra.Com said.     

Earlier, the Ministry of Tourism had also launched the Incredible India Bed and Breakfast/Home-Stay Scheme and has now asked the state governments to implement the scheme along with modification according to the local circumstances.     

"This scheme is very popular in foreign countries as it lets tourist stay in inexpensive accomodations...Home stay lets tourists enjoy local food and culture," a Tourism Ministry Official said.     

The official added, the government has set a target of bringing 3,000 rooms under the Bed and Breakfast Scheme before the Commonwealth Games are organised in Delhi next year. At the moment around 1,400 rooms are enrolled under the scheme.