ITDC and Ministry Launch Capacity Building Initiative
The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), under the Ministry of Tourism India, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs India, inaugurated a Capacity Building Program for Tribal Homestay Owners at Kautilya Hall, Hotel Samrat in New Delhi.
Focus on Community-Based Tourism and Skill Development
The initiative marks a step toward promoting community-based tourism while strengthening hospitality skills among tribal homestay operators across India.
The programme aims to enhance service standards, improve visitor experiences, and support sustainable livelihood opportunities through structured training led by IHM Ashok. The first batch includes 40 participants from Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Gujarat.
Leadership Highlights Growing Demand for Homestays
Speaking at the event, Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, said, “The mindset of the Indian tourist is evolving. Today’s travellers are increasingly seeking destinations that are less crowded, closer to nature, and free from pollution, while also choosing to stay longer to truly experience these environments. In a country where there is a significant shortage of hotel rooms, the homestay model offers a powerful solution.”
She further said, “It not only meets the expectations of modern travellers but also creates meaningful livelihood opportunities for tribal households, particularly in mountainous and tribal regions rich in natural trails. By equipping homestay owners with the basic principles of hospitality, this initiative has the potential to transform local economies. As ITDC celebrates sixty years of excellence, this partnership with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is a significant milestone. The small seed we are planting today through this training programme will grow into a strong and sustainable model that inspires many more communities to adopt tourism-led livelihood opportunities.”
Scaling Training and Expanding Reach
Mugdha Sinha, Managing Director – ITDC, said, “The homestay movement in India draws strong inspiration from the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of establishing one lakh homestays across the country. Our immediate effort to train 1,500 participants is only the beginning. The larger goal is to empower them to become trainers of trainers in their respective states, enabling the model to expand rapidly and ensuring that communities can access training closer to home.”
She also added, “This initiative also reflects our commitment to breaking silos and working through meaningful collaboration. By bringing together the strengths and synergies of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Incredible India platform, we are creating a framework that supports sustainable tourism while generating new livelihood opportunities for communities across the country.”
Manual Released to Support Homestay Development
A key highlight of the event was the release of the “Tribal Homestay – Operation & Development Manual 2026,” developed by IHM Ashok.
The manual provides a structured framework for the development and professional management of tribal homestays and has been created as a multilingual resource, including translations in Hindi and Gujarati to ensure wider accessibility.
Driving Inclusive Growth Through Tourism
The collaboration reflects a broader government focus on inclusive development through tourism. By equipping tribal homestay operators with essential skills and knowledge, the initiative aims to create high-quality visitor experiences while preserving local traditions.
At the same time, it contributes to sustainable economic development by enabling communities to participate more actively in India’s growing tourism ecosystem.
