To boost tourism in Ladakh, Homestay Framework launched

In a step towards strengthening community-based tourism in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Holistic Homestay Support Framework was formally launched today by Administrative Secretary Sanjit Rodrigues in Ladakh.

A statement said the initiative marks a new and progressive phase in Ladakh’s tourism journey, aimed at building sustainable, village-led tourism enterprises rooted in local communities.

The Holistic Homestay Support Framework has been developed through a collaborative effort between the Ladakh Department of Tourism; the State Institute of Hotel Management, Ladakh; and the Firgun Social Initiative Foundation.

It introduces a unified, department-led development system designed to ensure readiness, quality assurance and sustainability for homestays across the region.

“A key component of the initiative is the introduction of a comprehensive 21-day training curriculum for homestay operators designed to nurture skilled hosts who serve not only as hospitality providers but also as custodians of Ladakh’s cultural and ecological heritage,” the statement said.

It said by strengthening capacities, improving service quality and enhancing guest experiences, the framework aims to position Ladakh’s homestay network as a model of responsible and community-driven tourism.

Addressing the gathering, Rodrigues underscored the importance of reinforcing Ladakh’s homestay ecosystem as a key pillar of community-based tourism. He stated that the initiative represents a strategic shift from expansion to excellence in the tourism sector.

Emphasising the transformative vision behind the framework, he remarked that homestays must be viewed not merely as accommodation facilities but as structured rural enterprises embedded within village economies—creating sustainable livelihoods while preserving Ladakh’s unique cultural identity and fragile ecological heritage.

Rodrigues highlighted that the framework seeks to develop economically stable, culturally rooted and environmentally responsible homestays through enhanced service standards, structured capacity building, sustainability compliance and continuous monitoring and mentoring support.