THE QUIET REVOLUTION: How Homestay Networks Are Reshaping Rural Economies in the Indian Himalayas

Author(s)	Mr. Vijay Kumar Pant, Prof. Dr. Suresh Chandra Juyal, Mr. Gopal Singh
Country	India
Abstract	This paper is a synthesis of empirical data that was collected from over fifty studies (2012-2026) to document how homestay network have changed rural economies in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The IHR includes Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, and Ladakh. Overall, homestays increase household income — over 80 percent of respondents reported an increase in their income according to documents. In addition, homestays create jobs for women and youth; stimulate local supply chain; reduce rural/urban migration; and restore indigenous culture using programs such as Atithi Devo Bhava. However, many of the obstacles include lack of adequate infrastructure; regulatory barriers; unequal distribution of benefits; exclusion based on gender; and environmental stressors that prevent equal opportunities. The study identifies areas where additional research needs to be conducted and provides recommendations for policy actions to support sustainable and inclusive homestay development in the area.
Keywords	Homestay Tourism, Rural Economy, Indian Himalayas, Uttarakhand, Livelihood Diversification, Community-Based Tourism, Sustainable Development, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Environmental Governance
Discipline	Other
Published In	Volume 4, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-05-17

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Advanced International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research