Opinion | Role of Homestays and Local Entrepreneurship in Kashmir

Kashmir the region in which I live is not a land of hotels and houseboats, it is a land of villages, orchards, lakes, mountains, customs, and households that live by hospitable traditions. Recently an alternative form of accommodating tourists has appeared in this region of breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural history, called homestays. However, this is not just a chance for local people to earn additional moeny. The homestay tourism product helps to develop the local economy through families’ incomes, youth employment opportunities and an opportunity for them to market the uniqueness of Kashmir.

A homestay is different from a hotel because in a person’s home, they can offer something unique in terms of local culture and customs. This kind of tourism implies that people can stay in the private home of local residents. However, in addition to the opportunity for visitors to have a place to sleep and eat, this also brings great benefits to the local economy. For example, people whose homes accommodate guests can afford to buy food from local markets. In addition, the owner of the house can earn money not only from renting the house but also from the production of local specialties.

Thus, a homestay is a tool for developing the local economy, as well as a means of increasing the standard of living through the creation of additional sources of income, even for those people who are not engaged in guest business.

The tourism product homestays has a great advantage in terms of youth employment.

Many young people have excellent qualities, knowledge, and skills to perform their jobs, but unfortunately, sometimes they do not have opportunities to work in their hometown. Youth may be involved in the homestay business as web developers and administrators maintaining websites, providing online booking of rooms, organizing excursions for guests and introducing them to local history and traditions. In addition, young people can provide services as photographers, videographers, drivers and much more. Local young people would also be able to advertise local products and traditional cuisine, which is also a great opportunity for self-employment.

Moreover, a homestay creates opportunities for women to generate income using their skills and cultural traditions. Many women’s cultural traditions can be stored and passed on to future generations through homestays. Women are engaged in traditional embroidery, preparation of local cuisine, and folk crafts. They also have knowledge and skills in growing their own vegetable gardens or farms. Thus, homestays open up amazing opportunities for women to increase their income, work closer to home and take care of their loved ones.

However, this does not mean that homestays should develop at any cost. Unfortunately, tourism can sometimes be damaging not only to the environment but also to the economy, for example, if too many people visit one place at the same time.

This can lead to the deterioration of the natural and urban environment, the loss of architectural monuments in the settlements because of the influx of tourists. Therefore, Kashmir needs sustainable and responsible tourism, which will maintain and preserve the natural and urban environment of the region. Local hotel owners should be ready to learn and take care of their business, for example, by maintaining and preserving the cleanliness of their homes and guest rooms. They must also be attentive to tourists’ safety and comfort.

In addition, local people should receive the knowledge and skills necessary for their business, for example, how to behave at the stage of individual booking and settlement of guests. Thus, they will not only create conditions for holding meetings and staying in their homes but also will provide a comfortable stay.

In addition, it is necessary to develop and provide training for homestay owners on safety and health standards, as well as to ensure fire safety and other safety audits of their homes.

It seems to me that it would be great if there was also interaction with other local representatives of the tourism business, such as transport companies, food producers and other travel agents associated with the tourism sector. Local governments, the tourism board, microfinance companies, and charitable foundations can provide assistance to representatives of the homestay business in learning and obtaining knowledge and skills for their business. Information and communication technologies can also be useful for creating and maintaining websites, booking systems and social media accounts for homestays. Therefore, the development of homestays will be successful if they are integrated not only with local guest accommodations but also with other tourism businesses.

For example, local government bodies and entrepreneurs could improve the quality of life and beautify the villages where guests would stay. They could organize excursions to ancient temples and monuments and even hold local craft fairs and cottage exhibitions. The development of alternative ways of tourism is also beneficial for the local economy since it extends the tourism season.

This will also be useful for maintaining and preserving the cultural traditions and unique cultural heritages of the places where visitors stay.

Therefore, I am sure that not only the hotels and houseboat business will shape the future of tourism in Kashmir but also the local community. In addition to beautiful views of nature, guests will also be able to enjoy the friendly and hospitable nature of the local people and their families and have an opportunity to become familiar with the unique culture and traditions of our region.

Email anzarfayaz114@gmail.com