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How Homestay Are Redefining Travel Experience: Arshad Jamal, Founder, Eden Homestay

  • January 16, 2025
  • 3 min read

Homestays offer a unique, immersive travel experience that differs from traditional accommodations

For years, people have long used travel to discover other cultures, landscapes, and lifestyles. Traditionally, hotels, resorts, and hostels have been the main options for accommodation, providing travelers with a place to stay while discovering new destinations. However, in the last decade, there has been a major shift in the travel and hospitality industry. Homestays—private lodging in local people’s homes—have gained significant popularity, transforming the way people experience different places.

The Rise of Homestays

Home stays allow travelers to book a room or an entire home directly with the property owner. This accommodation option often feels more intimate and personal than staying in a commercial hotel. For hosts, it offers a way to supplement income, share their culture, and provide travelers with an authentic, local experience.

Redefining the Travel Experience

Homestays offer a unique, immersive travel experience that differs from traditional accommodations. Unlike hotels, where local interaction is limited, homestays allow travelers to live with hosts, fostering a deeper connection to the local culture.

Cultural Immersion

Homestays provide an authentic glimpse into daily life, allowing travelers to engage in local customs, try regional food and experience traditions firsthand. For instance, in India, guests may learn traditional cooking, while in Japan, they could participate in festivals or tea ceremonies.  

Personalized Service

Homestays often offer more personalized attention than hotels. Hosts may offer tailored advice, share hidden gems, and even provide services like cooking or guided tours, creating a flexible and customized experience.   

Affordability

Homestays are often more affordable than hotels, particularly in high-demand areas. They provide better value for money with spacious rooms, kitchen access, and the ability to prepare meals, saving on dining costs.  

Homestays and Sustainable Tourism

Homestays promote sustainable tourism by supporting local economies directly, unlike large hotel chains. They also help reduce over-tourism by attracting visitors to lesser-known areas and preserving local culture and the environment.  

The Future of Homestays

Despite some challenges, the future of homestays in the travel industry looks bright. With more travelers seeking authentic, personalized, and immersive experiences, homestays are expected to remain a significant part of the travel scene. As technology advances, platforms that facilitate homestay bookings will become more dependable, providing hosts with better tools for managing their properties and guests.

Additionally, as sustainable and responsible travel grows in importance, homestays will continue to support local communities and promote eco-friendly tourism. These accommodations are likely to adapt to meet the evolving needs of both hosts and guests, solidifying their role in modern travel. 

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TH Bureau

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