The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Poor response does not deter officials from encouraging Home Stay concept

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Poor response does not deter officials from encouraging Home Stay concept

R. Krishna Kumar

Only four of the 22 such facilities launched during Dasara 2006 are functioning

— Photo: M.A. Sriram

LOSING SHEEN: A dining room at a Home Stay facility on T. Narasipur Road near Mysore.

MYSORE: Home Stay concept derived from the ancient Indian notion of Atithi Devo Bhava has lost its sheen in Mysore if the response to the Tourism Department’s initiative is any indication.

For, only four Home Stay facilities are functioning of the 22 approved and launched during Dasara 2006.

Sources said a majority of the property owners have either rented it out or withdrawn the facility disillusioned by poor patronisation.

However, for the concept to become successful property owners should be in a position to withstand the lean tourist season when the demand is low and wait for the peak season that lasts from October through February.

But not many have the patience required for capitalising on the potential during the peak tourist season as they opt for renting out their premises for a steady income, the sources added.

But the Tourism Department has remained unfazed despite the dwindling popularity and once again invited applications which, however, evinced a lukewarm response this year.

“We have received only 17 applications for the Dasara and the property will be inspected and verified before they receive the department’s approval,” according to officials.

This is a far cry from the ambitious plan of identifying at least 1,000 rooms for Home Stay in Mysore during this year’s Dasara as announced by Tourism Secretary I.M. Vittalmurthy some time ago. The authorities are yet to comprehend the reason behind the failure of the Home Stay concept to take off in a big way in Mysore though it has clicked in Kodagu.

Introduced with much fanfare three years ago, Home Stay was perceived to be an opportunity for the general public to be participants in tourism promotion and reap the benefit of the sunrise industry and be stakeholders in it.

It was imagined that the concept would evoke tremendous response in Mysore which is a major tourism centre.

Described as an opportunity for the local community to showcase the ethnic culture to both domestic and international tourists, the concept was dovetailed with the tourism policy to ensure that the boom in travel and tourism was not stunted due to lack of adequate accommodation.

Nation-wide surveys conducted by the Union Ministry of Tourism indicated a shortfall in accommodation to cope with a resurgent tourism sector and hence Atithi or Home Stay was been introduced. It was also meant to be an opportunity that facilitates the more enterprising individuals to supplement their regular income.

However, individuals keen to let out their property for Home Stay should have a sense of history and not merely see it as a money-making commercial venture. Individuals are expected to be fully abreast of the local cultural nuances apart from being in a position to help the tourists with itinerary and enrich their experience by providing a taste of authentic and traditional ambience.

While not many meet the exacting standards that are ideally required for Home Stay to be successful, the least that is expected is a decent accommodation that is not only clean and hygienic but also have facilities such as telephone. In short, it is an ideal opportunity for individuals to be cultural ambassadors of their respective region.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the existing players who continue to offer Home Stay facility will be held to ascertain the reason for their success. The concept has caught the imagination of the public in regions where the local economy revolves around tourism alone.

However, the tourism department will go ahead promoting the concept in Mysore as it is a window of opportunity for the more enterprising in view of the growing tendency among international tourists to savour a slice of the authentic and the ethnic culture of the places they visit rather than make a visit backed by stays in luxury hotels far removed from the local ambience.

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