It's boom time for homestay business

KOZHIKODE: Foreign tourists on their way to scenic Wayanad have been choosing Kozhikode as a stopover destination. This trend has had a positive impact on the flourishing homestay business in the district.
Homestays started sprouting in the district following the success stories of similar business in Ernakulam and Wayanad.
Currently the district has nine such facilities, approved by the department of tourism.According to Naina Thara of Krishna Leela Homestay at Karuvassery more and more tourists prefer homestays compared to hotels.
"They prefer to stay with families. The trend will bode well for the industry here," she said.
Business operators in this area say the occupancy rate in homestays has gone up by 20-30% compared to last year. There is also a domestic demand for homestays as affluent families prefer homestays for family get-togethers and holidays. Business communities have also evinced interest in conducting their corporate events in homestays.
"The homestay business is looking up. In the current tourism season there was an increased booking compared to the previous year," said V P Sukumaran, managing partner, Liberty House.
According to C K Ponnappan, regional joint director, Kerala Tourism, more and more people have investing homestay business.
"The development of Tusharagiri as a tourism spot has helped. We are getting queries from people who want to set up homestays," he said.
But the major impediment in the growth of this business is the lack of occupancy throughout the year.
According to homestay operators, the district is yet to project itself as a tourism destination. "The government should do more to promote the district as tourist destination and can help in the growth of homestays," said Sudha Padmanabhan of Sourabham Homestay.
Homestays started sprouting in the district following the success stories of similar business in Ernakulam and Wayanad.