The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), under the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has launched a capacity-building programme for tribal homestay owners aimed at strengthening community-based tourism and creating livelihood opportunities in tribal regions.
The inaugural ceremony of the programme was held at Kautilya Hall, Hotel Samrat in New Delhi, where the first batch of 40 participants from Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Gujarat began their training.
The initiative focuses on enhancing hospitality skills, service standards and visitor experience for tribal homestay operators through structured training conducted by IHM Ashok, the hospitality training arm of ITDC. The programme aims to help tribal communities leverage tourism as a sustainable source of livelihood while preserving their cultural heritage.
Manual for Tribal Homestay Development Released
A key highlight of the event was the release of the publication “Tribal Homestay – Operation & Development Manual 2026,” developed by IHM Ashok. The manual provides a structured framework to support the professional management and development of tribal homestays across India.
Designed as a practical guide for both aspiring and existing operators, the publication has been developed as a multilingual resource, including translations in Hindi and Gujarati, to ensure wider accessibility among local communities.
Promoting Tourism-Led Livelihoods
Speaking at the event, Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, said the preferences of Indian travellers are evolving toward destinations that offer nature-based experiences, less crowded environments and longer stays.
She noted that the homestay model can address the shortage of hotel rooms in many tourist destinations while simultaneously creating livelihood opportunities for tribal households, especially in mountainous and forest regions rich in natural trails.
According to her, providing basic hospitality training to homestay owners can help transform local economies and promote sustainable tourism.
Scaling Up Community-Based Tourism
Mugdha Sinha, Managing Director of India Tourism Development Corporation, highlighted that the programme aligns with the vision of Narendra Modi to establish one lakh homestays across the country.
She said the current effort to train 1,500 participants is only the beginning, with the long-term goal of enabling trained participants to become “trainers of trainers” in their respective states, thereby expanding the model across tribal regions.
Sinha also emphasised the importance of collaboration between ministries and institutions, stating that the initiative brings together the strengths of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, and the Incredible India tourism platform to support sustainable tourism development.
Inclusive Growth Through Tourism
The programme reflects the government’s broader strategy of promoting inclusive development through tourism. By equipping tribal communities with professional hospitality skills, the initiative seeks to strengthen community-based tourism while generating economic opportunities in remote regions.
At the same time, the initiative aims to ensure that tourism development remains sustainable by preserving local traditions, culture and natural landscapes while improving the quality of visitor experiences.