As part of its ongoing efforts to promote community-based tourism in Jashpur district, Homestays of India recently welcomed its first guest from Tamil Nadu at one of the homestays in the region. The visit marks an important milestone in the journey to develop Jashpur as a model community tourism destination.
Mahesh, from Tamil Nadu, who has been travelling across India by road for the past one month with his pet dog Max, has been choosing homestays throughout his journey. According to him, his reasons are simple—healthy, home-cooked food and the desire to experience the real India through its culture and everyday life.
During his stay in Jashpur, Mahesh was hosted by Vipin and his family at their homestay. This homestay is part of a village that has been adopted by Homestays of India, in collaboration with the district administration, to be developed as a model for community tourism. Mahesh deeply appreciated the family’s warm hospitality, nutritious traditional meals, and the calm, natural surroundings of the village.
Sharing his experience, Mahesh said that spending time in the village without internet or mobile phone connectivity allowed him to truly disconnect, unwind and feel mentally refreshed.
The stay also proved beneficial for the host family, generating additional income and strengthening their livelihood. Hosting a traveller from another part of the country provided the family with valuable exposure, cultural exchange and practical learning related to tourism, further building their confidence, hospitality skills and entrepreneurial outlook.
Under this initiative, Homestays of India is not only supporting homestay development, but is also actively working on capacity building of local families, improving hospitality standards, enhancing guest experience, and promoting responsible tourism practices. The objective is to ensure that tourism benefits reach the community directly while preserving local culture, traditions and natural heritage.
Mahesh’s experience reflects a growing trend among conscious travellers who are increasingly seeking slow travel, meaningful human connections, local food experiences and closer engagement with nature. Regions like Jashpur are emerging as ideal destinations for such travellers. This initiative is helping position Jashpur as an emerging eco-tourism and community tourism destination, while also creating sustainable livelihoods, dignified income and wider recognition for rural families.
