NITI Aayog Releases Report on “Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways”

NITI Aayog Releases Report on “Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways”

NITI Aayog today launched the report titled ‘Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways’ in collaboration with Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), offering a strategic roadmap to unlock the potential of homestays and BnBs in India’s tourism landscape.

The report was released by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, in the presence of Shri Yugal Kishore Joshi, Programme Director, NITI Aayog, and senior Government officials from Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and states covered in the report like Goa, Kerala, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Drawing upon insights from aggregators, hosts, and policymakers, the report highlights the role of homestays in offering travelers culturally immersive experiences while simultaneously fostering local entrepreneurship and employment generation. It emphasizes the need for light-touch, transparent regulatory frameworks that ensure the safety of tourists and homeowners, protect heritage, and support inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The launch was attended by industry representatives from IAMAI, ISPP, MakeMyTrip, Airbnb, Chase India and The Convergence Foundation, underlining the importance of public–private collaboration in shaping a vibrant homestay ecosystem.

The report further underscores that homestays have the unique ability to blend cultural authenticity with livelihood creation, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions. It calls for flexible policy approaches, capacity building and the integration of digital platforms to empower hosts and strengthen consumer trust. It also features case studies and state-level best practices to illustrate scalable models for homestay development and governance.

Developed through extensive consultations the report presents actionable recommendations for policymakers, industry stakeholders and local communities, with the aim of building a resilient, inclusive and heritage-conscious homestay sector in India.

The Report on ‘Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways’ can be accessed at:

https://niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-08/Rethinking-Homestays-Navigating-Policy-Pathways.pdf