TBM Staff - Mumbai
The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board has unveiled an online booking portal for homestays in the hill state. Bookings can now be made through www.uttarastays.com, marking a pioneering effort by a state tourism department to launch a state-sponsored homestay booking platform.
With close to 5,000 homestays in Uttarakhand to be made available online, owners can integrate their properties on the platform by providing information and signing an agreement. Homestay owners will not incur any integration charges, platform fees, or revenue-sharing requirements with Uttarakhand Tourism.
The portal aims to provide authentic information about homestays to the public and facilitate seamless online booking. Users can also rate the homestays, offering real-time feedback to help owners enhance their services. This initiative underscores Uttarakhand Tourism’s commitment to promoting the local economy through tourism-related activities by supporting homestay owners with a free online platform.
In addition to the online portal, the Uttarakhand Tourism Department is offering subsidies under the Deendayal Upadhyay Homestay Scheme to develop homestays in the region. Homestay owners are also receiving training in various skills to improve their customer service. This multi-faceted approach, including government support, skill-based training, and marketing through the online portal, aims to establish a robust homestay network in the state.
Shri Sachin Kurve, Secretary Tourism/CEO of UTDB, emphasised that this three-pronged strategy will be a milestone in creating a strong homestay network in Uttarakhand. He encouraged all homestay owners to register their properties on the portal. Future plans include linking homestays with wellness centers, allowing tourists to enjoy services such as Yoga, Naturopathy, Panchakarma, and Ayurvedic massages.
