Srinagar, Aug 16: Tourism in Jammu & Kashmir is set to expand beyond established destinations, with the government placing greater focus on homestays as a way to bring local families and rural youth into the tourism economy.
The move follows a recent meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, where the government reviewed the renewed Homestay Policy and discussed measures to strengthen accommodation facilities in lesser-explored areas of J&K.
The policy is expected to give a fresh push to community-based tourism, particularly in villages and areas that have strong tourism potential but limited formal accommodation.
J&K currently has 2,802 registered homestay units with a combined capacity of 20,514 beds. The government now aims to increase this network by making registration simpler, improving financial access and providing greater support to property owners.
Under the financing arrangement being facilitated through J&K Bank, eligible applicants can access loans of up to Rs 5 lakh per room, subject to a maximum of Rs 30 lakh per property. The support is aimed at helping families upgrade existing homes or create suitable accommodation for visitors.
The renewed policy also allows secondary residential properties to operate under the Bed & Breakfast model. This could help families earn from vacant or underused houses while adding accommodation capacity in areas away from major tourist centres.
The government is also focusing on training. Tourism authorities have been asked to strengthen handholding and capacity-building programmes so that local hosts can meet required standards in hygiene, safety, hospitality and basic visitor services.
A simplified online registration process is also expected to reduce delays and improve the visibility of registered properties. Digital integration and geotagging will help tourists locate homestays through official tourism platforms.
The government is further promoting rural entrepreneurship through the “Crown of Incredible India” Homestay Initiative under Mission YUVA, in partnership with OYO.
Officials believe the approach can create a wider tourism network across J&K by connecting visitors with local communities while generating additional household income.
With thousands of homestay beds already available, the renewed policy is likely to make local families a more visible part of the tourism sector and open new opportunities in destinations that have so far remained outside the mainstream tourism circuit.
