Away from crowded towns, craze for homestays increases

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 4

The increasing craze among tourists, especially the foreigners, to enjoy holidays in serene environment, away from the hustle and bustle of the towns has proved a boon for homestay units coming up on the periphery of Shimla urban township.

Dhudhli, nestling in the lap of forests in picturesque surroundings, about 4-4.5 km from Auckland Tunnel on Bharari road, is one such spot which is emerging as hub of homestay units. Around 25 home stay accommodations have come up in lower and upper Dhudhli, which offers thick green cover attracting the tourists.

The place has added advantage of having three trails through the forest to Annandale, Tattapani and Chadwick Falls. Staying with families with personalised touch is a great experience which the tourists like to repeat.

The essence of the homestay is that the owner family lives in the same complex and involvement of kids and elderly provides a sense of security. The properties managed by affluent retired people without commercial angel are the most sought after. Foreigners enjoy the Himachali cuisine and stay with families exposes them to rich culture of the hills.

The cost of living in Europe is high during winters due to increase in consumption of energy. A large number of European tourists visit India during vacation. Cheap accommodation and other facilities and attraction for Himalayas bring them here. Moreover, Britishers visit Shimla as they have historical linkage with the town, it being the erstwhile summer capital of British India, says Ashish, president, Homestay Association, Lower Dhudhli.

Foreigners prefer peaceful environment away from crowded cities. They look for safe places and homestay units provide them an ideal option. Moreover, homestay units in the suburbs reduce load on the main city, popularise new places, boost rural tourism, create employment for youth at their homes and gives business to local traders. The prices are reasonable, says B R Chauhan, retired DGM from the Tourism Department and owner of Vipul Homestay.

“We serve only vegetarian food but still about 80 to 90 per cent of our guests are foreigners, mostly from Europe, particularly United Kingdom, who come with their families”, says owner of Vatsalyam Homestay SK Sharda (retired chief engineer from PWD) adding, “With emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene, we offer homely atmosphere and same food is cooked for the guests and family and many a time, the emotional bond becomes so strong that parting becomes tearful.

“Eco-friendly property with solar plant and rain harvesting system started in 2011 has a rating of 9.6 on Booking.com and has figured in various magazines. Tourists are properly guided and saved from fleecing as we tell them that Shimla is enjoyed best when roamed by foot,” he added. However, the genuine homestay owners and hoteliers are concerned over the mushrooming growth of unregistered and illegal homestays. Such activities bring bad name to the tourism industry and the state. The tourism department should bring the guilty to book, homestay owners say. There are 332 registered homestay units in Shimla district. However, the number of unregistered or illegal units providing accommodation to tourists has shot up to 354.

Why foreigners prefer homestays in suburbs?

• Family provides them security and comfort
• Properties away from city congestion have more natural beauty
• Personalised service as number of rooms in such units is not more than four
• Peep into rich culture and taste of local cuisine

80% guests from Europe

We serve only vegetarian food but still about 80 to 90 per cent of our guests are foreigners, mostly from Europe, particularly United Kingdom, who come with their families. — SK Sharda, owner of vatsalyam homestay

332 registered homestays

354 illegal units