For the past 22 years, the Deys have spent their annual holidays in hotels. But this summer they opted for a homestay in Thekkady, Kerala. The reason? For a ?different? experience. ?I liked the slow pace that we could take instead of rushing in and out of coaches with the crowd. It was a rare experience to live in a heritage home,? gushes 26-year-old Ronojoy Dey who planned it instead of his father and is now confident the family will look forward to a homestay next year as well.
Homestays is an evolving segment in India with several players in the fray, most unregistered. Industry experts peg the ratio of international to Indian travellers opting for this segment at 70:30. Mahindra Holidays and Resorts, entered the segment with Mahindra Homestays this February with 300 homestays across India. It plans to add 700 more in the next five years. ?There are about 1,500 homestays affiliated to local governments across India with Maharashtra leading with a 10% share,? said Japa Ghosh, Head, Marketing, Mahindra Homestays.
It?s a concept that can help Delhi offset the shortfall of 20,000 rooms for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. ?Even with the opening of new hotels and extra FSI (Floor Space Index) for existing ones in Delhi, it will be difficult to accommodate the 1,00,000 tourists expected for the Games,? says Gour Kanjilal, Executive Director, Indian Association of Tour Operators. A homestay is basically a concept where the home owner rents out his accommodation. The guest gets to see local culture up close by way of cuisine, lifestyle and experience of living with a family for which no value or premium placed is high enough. Contrast this with a hotel where the guest is just a room number.
Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra are the most preferred amongst tourists for homestays. For instance, Wayanad in Kerala has had several old homes welcoming guests from all over the country and abroad. The Cherians, who have been living here for over three decades, opened their 35-year-old British-style bungalow, Coffee Vista, on a 40 acre coffee estate for homestays through Mahindras. ?We get to interact with people from all walks of life, nationalities and regions, which would not be possible otherwise,? says Ninan Cherian. They lay out a fare ranging from local to whatever the guests prefer. For guests like Supriya M who was on holiday here, ?it was nice to have the hosts see us till the door and wait at the end of the day. It was so much like home.? Homestays are evaluated on several parameters including hygiene, comfort, safety and the inter-personal skills of the host. ?Even the bed sheets have to be at par with hotels. The toilets must be clean, germicide used, and fresh towels must be given everyday,? says Ghosh.
Ekta Capor, Director, Operations, Comfort Homestay, which has over 250 properties across 30 cities in India says, ?homestays are like hotels but with more personalised attention. One can even see how the food is prepared. Which hotel will allow you to enter its kitchen?? If a guest wants his/her baby?s feeding bottles to be sterilised, they can get that or do it themselves.
Some places have as many or more homestays as there are resorts and hotels. Coorg, for instance, has multiple homestays with a price suitable for every pocket. Rakesh Dhiman and Anish Alex, who run the Bethel Home Stay in South Coorg, say that the prime advantage is the bonding between the hosts and the guests which is recalled long after the vacation is over. ?It is the warmth of the interaction that is enjoyed by guests. We encourage guests to be at home ? come and leave at any time they wish and don?t place any restrictions on them.? They have had guests who love traditional Coorgi food. ?We share the recipes with those who want them. Some have wanted to learn to climb coconut trees while some like to work in the coffee plantation. There is a river running through our property where the guest can swim and have much fun walking upstream. These are memories that thrill the guest and he wants to revive them by remaining in touch with the hosts.?
Tariffs can start from Rs 200 and go up to even Rs 10,000 per room a night for two. The concept may have started with budget homestays, but has now widened to include standard, deluxe and premium home rooms. Meals can vary from local food to exotic cuisine stemming from recipes handed down through generations.
?It is time the government formulates a uniform policy for homestays,? says Capor. Presently, the states have individual policies, separate from the Centre. ?The government needs to promote this segment,? adds Ghosh.
Not all homestays are happy affairs. Some are big on promises but fail to deliver. ?Though Indians are known for their hospitality, they need to be trained and oriented to treat foreigners,? says Manav Thadani, MD, HVS International-India. ?Breakfast is a part of the concept but not all foreigners may like Indian fare. The hosts must be open to the guests choice.? It is advisable to opt for registered homes for security reasons. So, the next time you plan a vacation, check out the best deals in this segment.