Bengal focus on homestays

TT, Siliguri: The Mamata Banerjee government is increasing focussing on homestay accommodations across Bengal's tourist destinations, particularly villages and offbeat areas, to provide alternative employment opportunities to residents, sources said.

The state tourism department, which has already undertaken the task of preparing a database of all such accommodations, intends to open more such facilities over the next few months, the sources said.

"Homestay accommodations have mushroomed across north Bengal, particularly in the districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar. Details of these locations are available in our official website," said an official of the tourism department.

"We also have plans to take up hospitality training programmes for the homestay owners and their family members, so that tourists get better quality of services when they visit," he added.

The move comes coincides with a National Green Tribunal order asking all illegal accommodations in Buxa to close down. The order, however, does not apply to homestays.

The department, he said, was showcasing the accommodations in travel marts and other promotional events to apprise the travel trade fraternity as well as tourists in general that they can stay in villages, know the local culture, visit lesser-known spots and explore other areas of interest.

"This is a new option for employment that people in villages have found, other than their usual work like farming, dairy, piggery, poultry and others. Many people are enquiring with us about how to start the homestay facility in their places," he said.

Sources said the state was planning to set up homestays in remote areas like the Ayodhya Hills in Purulia district and for Bankura and Birbhum districts too.