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Chapter 2

The document discusses the history and policies of homestays. It outlines how homestays began in various countries starting in the 1940s and expanded globally. It then describes the objectives of homestays such as being built and managed locally, leveraging community assets, minimizing environmental impacts, and opening social, environmental, and tourism opportunities. Local government support for homestays is also covered.

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Srishti Yadav
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56 views5 pages

Chapter 2

The document discusses the history and policies of homestays. It outlines how homestays began in various countries starting in the 1940s and expanded globally. It then describes the objectives of homestays such as being built and managed locally, leveraging community assets, minimizing environmental impacts, and opening social, environmental, and tourism opportunities. Local government support for homestays is also covered.

Uploaded by

Srishti Yadav
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CHAPTER 2

HISTORY OF HOMESTAY, IT'S POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES

'HOME AWAY FROM HOME'


The number of tourists visiting India has increased manifold during the past few
decades. Especially after the tourism attraction program of Incredible India, India is witnessing a
large influx of tourists .Even our countrymen have also started coming out of their shells and
visiting every nook and corner of the country.

Not only foreign tourists, but even many local tourists prefer staying in the comfort of a homely
environment where one is not bounded by so-called protocols. One can freely mingle with the
local people, enjoy home made food and relax in the cosy comfort of a house away from the
hustle and bustle of city life. The desire for such holidays has given rise to a new concept:
Home Stay i.e. a home away from home. It has enabled tourists to enjoy their stay in these
Home Stays and a scope to learn local culture and traditions. One can clearly say that these
Home Stays definitely offer a home away from home feel.
ABOUT THE HISTORY OF HOMESTAY-
In 1949, Bob Luitweiler founded Servas International as a volunteer-run international nonprofit
organization advocating interracial and international peace.

In 1965, John Wilcock set up the Traveler's Directory as a listing of his friends willing to host
each other when Traveling. In 1988, Joy Lily rescued the organization from imminent shutdown,
forming Hospitality Exchange.

In 1966, psychologist Rubén Feldman González created Programo Pasporto for Esperanto
speakers in Argentina. In 1974, with the help of Jeanne-Marie Cash, it became Pasporta Servo
and published its first membership directory, which listed 40 hosts.

In 1971, Sue Coppard founded WWOOF ("Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms"), a


network in which food, lodging, and education is provided to guests in exchange for
housekeeping and farmworker services.

In 1977, Presbyterian minister Wayne Smith and U.S. President Jimmy Carter established
Friendship Force International, with the mission of improving intercultural relations, cultural
diplomacy, friendship, and intercultural competence via organized trips involving homestays.

In 1992, Hospex.org was launched online; it later was folded into Hospitality club, created in
2000 by Veit Kühne.

In 1993, the database of Warm Showers was created by Terry Zmrhal and Geoff Cashmen. In
2005, it was launched as a website by Randy Fay.

In 2003, Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust, a not-for-profit organization based in Ladakh,
India, pioneered the conservation-linked homestays, whereby trekkers, while trekking in the
mountains, stay in village homes instead of camping. This brings much needed additional
income to villagers that help them offset livestock loss to snow leopards.

In 2004, Casey Fenton founded CouchSurfing, in which accommodation is offered gratis.


Beginning in March 2020, the website charges users a period membership fee.

In 2007, BeWelcome was formed by members of Hospitality Club who had had a disagreement
with its founder.

In 2008, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia founded Airbnb, where hosts receive monetary payment
from guests, paid online in advance, and Airbnb receives commissions from each transaction.

In 2011, Couchsurfing being previously non-profit was turned into a for-profit corporation.

In 2014, Trustroots was founded by Kasper Souren and Mikael Korpela in Berlin, Germany.

POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES OF HOMESTAY


Homestays are distinct from other forms of development by offering the traveler a unique
experience that combines ones basic needs (food, shelter) with the host’s culture. Homestays
directly empower and benefit the same community members with a vested interest in
preserving their surrounding environment.

● Built and managed by the local community.


The cultural aspect of the homestay is a key component, and an exploratory study of homestays
in Malaysia was undertaken to better understand it. The study found the interaction between
host and guest was the core product, while education, entertainment and enrichment activities
are
important contributors.
● Take into account the surrounding heritage assets and resources.
A portion of proceeds are typically set aside for natural resource management to help conserve
the surrounding environment that makes it so desirable to tourists. These funds can help
mitigate the degradation that might otherwise happen. They can also be used to improve
conditions within the community by improving sewage disposal and waste management
infrastructure.

● Leverage the assets of several community members. Traditional practices can


also thrive under a homestay model.
Homestays give tourists a way to interact with local inhabitants in an intimate way.
Many locals may make their own products, such as dried herbs or woolen goods, which can be
sold to their guests. This further
emphasizes the connection with local production and sustainability.
● Minimize impacts on the built environment.
Homestays minimize impacts on the
built environment by using existing facilities and structures. They provide tourist
accommodations within existing infrastructure, typically offering one guest room per
dwelling.

HOMESTAY ALSO OPENS UP VAROUS OPPORTUNITIES:


● Social Opportunities of Homestay

1. An ideal platform for cross-cultural exchanges (guest host interactions).


2. Reducing conflicts among different races and nationalities.
3. Retention of youth by involving them in local opportunities. uilds confide among locals
4. Learning new languages, skills i Make locals toch savvy and "smart" and independent as
modernization gradually creeps through.

● Environmental Opportunities of Homestay

1. Would be very helpful in reducing common sanitation related diseases since training
would be conducted.
2. Persuading the locals to keep the premises, kitchens and toilets etc. neat & clean.
3. Increasing awareness on environmental conservation among host areas.
4. Assembling funds for conservation of physical environment.

● Tourism related Opportunities

1. Tourists get a chance to witness natural & cultural diversity.


2. Increase in accommodation supply capability of the destination.
3. Removing the problem of seasonality by promoting the destination all year round.
4. Increase tourism awareness amongst local and foreign tourists by the constant
intervention by key role players.

● Infrastructural Opportunities

1. Increasing accessibility to villages by linking them with easily accessible roods.


2. Increasing the number of education & training centers for capacity building.
3. Increasing safety & security of locals as well tourists at the destinations question.
4. Improving healthcare & public utilities at the remote destinations.

References :
Leksakundilok, A. (2004). Ecotourism and Community-based Ecotourism in the Mekong
Region. University of Sydney. Sydney: Australian Mekong Resource Centre.
Kayat, K. (2010). The Nature of Cultural Contribution of a Community-Based Homestay
Programme. Tourismos: An International Multidisciplinary Journal of Tourism, 5(2),
145-159.
CHAPTER 4
ROLE AND POLICIES OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND THEIR SUPPORT

The travel and tourism industry is considered as one of the biggest employers in the
develop ing countries. Homestay as a form of community based tourism p rovides op p
ortunity for travellers to sp end money within local communities which brings a rise in the
regional income sometimes by even more than the value of spending due to the
multiplier effect. This contributes to the increase in the economic condition of the
community and it also increases the social and cultural benefits brought by the
increased purchasing power. As explained by the researchers, the homestay p rogram
enables the locals and the hosts to contribute in various types of schemes that can
help in raising the standard of living of the local communities by focusing on economic
development and social advancement of the local hosts.

Governments of many developing countries are actively promoting homestays as these


provide additional income, employment and
assist in distributing the benefits of tourism to rural areas. However, host communities may not
be able to take advantage of the benefits of homestays and certain sections of the community
may get benefits over others. Often rural communities and development planners hold divergent
views, which lead to the failure of the tourism development plans. Consequently, community
participation in tourism development becomes a theoretical rather than practical concept.
Further, the centralised structure of planning results in an overly bureaucratic role in decision-
making and community non-involvement.Scholars have argued the significance of community
involvement in the successful development of tourism and stressed the need to identify
participation constraints perceived by a community. Stone contends that community
participation necessitates the design of
‘development in such a way that intended beneficiaries are encouraged to take matters into their
own hands, to participate in their own development through mobilising their own
resources,defining their own needs, and making their own decisions about how to meet them.

There was a misconception of homestays among new hosts and their inspection
committee, which meant poorer householders could not register. For registering the homestay
the hosts had to attend a training programme and after that get their house endorsed by an
inspection committee. However, what was advised in training was very different from the actual
amenities being sought by the inspection team. Hence, by failing to comply with hotel-like
standards, poor households could not register. Other problems included: delayed payments;
lack of leadership; migration of youth to cities; passive nature of the community which overly
depended on the Government for future development of homestays; leadership problems;
informal structure and management issues of the homestay association;
over-commercialisation that ended up benefitting a few; and conflict among community
members.

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