The Hindu Business Line : Tour operators plan campaign to enrol `homestay' providers

Hyderabad May 20 Got a spare bedroom that you can let out to a tourist visiting your city? Then, you can enrol yourself to become an official `homestay' service provider.

After receiving good response to the initial campaign in New Delhi, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) is now planning to launch a national campaign to enrol people, who can spare bedrooms for tourists, for preparing a registry of `homestay' service providers.

The concept of `homestays' is fast catching up as it ensures additional income for those who can spare residential space for tourists.

For tourists, this would be an economical proposition too as they could get accommodation at very low rates.

"We are in talks with apartment welfare associations and colony associations to discuss the idea," Mr Subhash Goyal, President of IATO, told Business Line.

IATO, in association with the Union Ministry of Tourism, had already enrolled 100 `homestay' places in the Capital.

Mr Goyal, who was here in connection with the two-day `Look South' meet organised by the FICCI, said that `homestay' services could offer a practical solution to the severe shortage for hotel rooms in the country.

For example, the country needs an additional capacity of at least 10,000 rooms for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. "How can we meet the demand? Homestays could well serve the purpose," he said.

Mr Goyal added that the idea would soon be replicated in other cities and towns across the country.

The IATO, which had been named the nodal agency to popularise the concept, would talk to the associations, visit the premises and give the `official homestay' tag.

Being the apex body of tour operators, IATO would also help the homestay service providers in marketing the product to tourists.

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