The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has moved to strengthen its Home Stay sector, hosting an orientation-cum-interaction programme in Sri Vijaya Puram aimed at raising the quality of visitor experiences and creating new avenues for tourism growth. The initiative, organised by the Tourism Department, brought together more than 100 registered Home Stay owners for the first time, marking a significant step in integrating small-scale hospitality providers into the islands’ wider tourism development framework.
The meeting, held at the Directorate of Disaster Management conference hall, saw senior officials from the Tourism Department and the Information, Publicity and Tourism Secretariat outlining the opportunities available to Home Stay owners while encouraging them to upgrade standards. The session underlined how Home Stays can serve not merely as accommodation but as cultural gateways for visitors, offering them authentic local interactions, cuisine, and community experiences that distinguish the islands from conventional destinations.
Officials emphasised that tourists opting for Home Stays today expect more than lodging. They look for cultural immersion, exposure to local traditions, and a sense of belonging during their stay. By providing these experiences, Home Stays in the islands can carve a niche and encourage repeat visits. The Administration noted that Home Stays on the mainland have flourished by focusing on exactly these aspects and suggested that exchange visits for island owners could be arranged to learn from their counterparts elsewhere in the country.
The Tourism Department used the occasion to announce that a new dedicated Home Stay portal will soon feature on the official tourism website, with owners invited to provide high-quality photographs, videos, and contact details. The platform is expected to broaden outreach by showcasing individual properties directly to tourists, thereby expanding market access and helping smaller operators compete alongside hotels and resorts.
Plans were also outlined to conduct refresher sessions aimed at strengthening service quality. These sessions will cover best practices in guest interactions, cuisine presentation, and community linkages, giving Home Stay owners structured learning opportunities. Officials noted that Home Stays must be viewed not only as places to rest but as an extension of the cultural fabric of the islands, guiding visitors towards a deeper appreciation of the archipelago’s way of life.
The gathering provided a rare opportunity for Home Stay owners to voice their concerns and offer suggestions. Several participants shared ideas on how to extend the duration of tourist stays, citing the need for better marketing of local experiences and stronger linkages with tour operators. The administration assured that such feedback will help shape actionable policies for promoting community-based tourism.
Experts from Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya and DBRAIT joined the event, along with officials from India Tourism, delivering refresher sessions on tourism management and highlighting the role of Home Stays in destination branding. Their inputs focused on the importance of professional service standards in creating lasting impressions for visitors.
For the Administration, the move aligns with its broader objective of diversifying the tourism economy and encouraging sustainable practices. By involving local residents directly in the sector, Home Stays not only provide income opportunities but also help distribute the economic benefits of tourism more equitably across the islands.
The initiative is also seen as an answer to evolving travel trends, where tourists increasingly prefer personalised experiences over standardised hotel offerings. With over 100 registered Home Stays already in operation, the islands are well-placed to build a reputation for authentic hospitality. The interaction programme is expected to become a regular feature, creating a feedback loop between policymakers and operators and ensuring that community voices shape tourism’s future growth.
The first-of-its-kind meeting marks the start of a more structured engagement between the Administration and Home Stay owners. With growing recognition of Home Stays as cultural ambassadors of the islands, the Tourism Department appears determined to turn this sector into a pillar of its visitor economy, offering guests not just accommodation but memorable experiences rooted in the unique identity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
