Thaindian News

Shimla, April 21 (IANS) A chance to pluck vegetables, milk cows and eat buckwheat dishes in the villages of Himachal Pradesh is proving to be a great hit with tourists. Rural homestays have provided employment to around 3,000 people and generated economic activity worth over Rs.4 crore in the state, say officials.

Started in July 2008, a homestay scheme has triggered a surge in tourist arrivals - both domestic and overseas. The visitors are obviously enjoying daily rural tasks, with adventure activities like angling and trekking thrown in.

“The homestay scheme launched for providing quality accommodation at reasonable rates during peak tourist season has gained popularity,” Director Tourism Arun Sharma told IANS.

“It has provided employment to around 3,000 people and generated an economic activity of over Rs.4 crore,” he added.

The scheme also succeeds in driving tourists from traditional hotspots to offbeat destinations.

“Besides decongesting the popular destinations, it also plays a crucial role in improving socio-economic status of the locals,” Sharma said.

Under the scheme, any resident living on the outskirts of a town can rent out a portion of his house - maximum three rooms - to tourists after getting the premises registered with the state tourism department.

At present, 338 home stay units with a room capacity of 891 have been registered. Out of these, 113 alone are in the Kullu-Manali region. Shimla and Dharamsala areas have around 90 units.

According to the survey of the tourism department, the snow-bound areas in Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts are the preferred destinations, mainly among foreigners during summers. These districts have 75 stay units.

“The occupancy in Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur units is almost cent percent during the peak season,” Sharma said.

Bhawani Negi of Negi Cottages in the picturesque Sangla Valley, some 275 km from state capital Shimla, said: “Last year was quite good. Seeing the number of enquiries, we are expecting a good rush during summer.”

“It’s the word of mouth that is driving the tourists to these unexplored spots,” he added.

The entire valley that remains cut off from the rest of the country for more than six months a year owing to heavy snowfall is also known for rich tribal culture and traditions.

There is a tradition in the district, mainly dominated by tribals, to welcome the guests with a garland of dry fruits and a round Kinnauri cap with green flap.

“It’s really amazing to enjoy local cuisines made of barley and buckwheat,” said Sabina Singh, a tourist from Delhi who stayed in Ribba village in Kinnaur district.

“We also helped our hosts in their morning chores like plucking vegetables and milking cows,” Singh added.

The government has exempted registered private houses from luxury and sales tax. Moreover, they are getting electricity and water at domestic rates.

Tourism industry representatives said the homestay units are attracting a class of tourists who are bored with five-star culture.
The homestay units are also offering adventure activities such as jungle trekking, angling and mountain biking in the vicinity.

According to the tourism department, 18,156 national and 1,485 international guests have come to the homestay units so far. Tourists can book these units at any of the state-run tourism booking centres.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)