The word Homestay means a home where you can stay in exchange for money or any other consideration. Homestays are examples of collaborative consumption and the sharing economy. It is a form of hospitality whereby visitors share a residence with a local of the city or village to which they are travelling. Where the host allows the guest to have access to the length of stay, food, housekeeping, use of utilities and other households which may or may not be conditioned with some house rules.

In the Indian culture, it is believed "Athithi Devo Bhava", which means "The Guest is God". Indians consider it a huge honour to have guests in their home and go out of their way to please them. Indian hospitality is not unknown to the world. Perhaps due to the lack of proper knowledge and lack of proper advertisement Become host, the visitors who come to India or the domestic travellers as well stay in hotels and never get to experience true Indian hospitality. However, the good thing is that this situation is slowly changing as a result of the growing popularity of homestays in India.

The concept of Homestay may include retreats, bungalow, historic mansion, rural cottage, treehouses etc. And it is different from a hotel and similar hospitality services. Homestays offer all types of travellers an alternative and affordable place to stay. Here are some points why it is a better option than a hotel and any other similar services.

Call it a home away from home

The phrase ‘home away from home is one that is used all too loosely by different accommodations around the world. While they may offer a homely atmosphere, they’re not really homes. Homestays, on the other hand, are just that. Stay in a homestay, and you really will be staying in a home away from home.

Actual local experience

Generally, Homestays are built in the local areas away from the hotch-potch of the city, where the local lives. When you visit(stay) in a homestay you can experience something raw(in its actual form) that would not generally be experienced in other forms of accommodation. As it says “if you want to experience something, go to the root”, visiting a homestay let you meet with the local people, live with them. It enhances the experience of your journey.

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Get more, than what you pay

Homestays are great value for money. As in contrast to hotels homestay usually has a few rooms to offer. Which logically guarantees you to receive proper attention, spending time, dine and chat with the owner(Host and the family). Accommodations are cheaper as compared to hotel and others form.

Get up to 20% discount

No rigid Destination

Generally, the maximum numbers of hotel and similar accommodations are to be found in the main city or town or mostly in the market areas, which are rigid and not flexible in nature. Whereas the homestay opens up a diverse option to choose from as it is located in the local area or around nature(offbeat). This gives you more opportunity to explore more corner and more unique destinations.

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Home Cooked Meals

In this segment, the homestay has a great upper hand as compared to hotels and similar accommodations. You get home-cooked meals which gets change with the change of destination(add the link - Himalayan Destination), especially in a diverse county like India. You can enjoy kaleidoscopic food in its authentic form. Even you can join the kitchen and learn how they are prepared. Some host provides separate kitchen if you want to prepare your own food. Which make you feel at home but in a different destination.

Best possible way of Learning

You can read a lot or search on the internet about any particular culture and customs before arriving at any destination(add link-Himalayan Destination link). However, it is always the best way of learning and experiences the culture or the custom of that destination first hand. In a homestay, the host automatically encourages you to involve yourself to experience their(the host’s) culture and custom. And not just the culture, the hosts are delighted to show around the local area and surroundings, providing them with invaluable insights that simply aren't available from a guide book.

Experience the outdoor

If you love to learn new languages and trying to pick them up along the way. What better way to do this than staying in a local’s house when you travel? Or if you’re a student attending a language school in another country, stay in a homestay, and you’ll get to speak the language every day with your host family.

Customisation

As a guest at a homestay, the focus is on you, and your likes and preferences. It also gives you the opportunity to customise your trip according to your need. The hosts are typically very accommodating and will put a great deal of effort into arranging activities that are of interest to you. On the other hand, travelling solo can be extremely liberating or If you're a solo traveller(female) visiting for the first time or is simply concerned about staying safe, you'll have a family who looks after you. In a homestay, you’ll meet interesting people, share stories and experiences and get to know the destination through the eyes of the locals.

Festival Season

The festivals are as colourful as India, if you visit a homestay during festival time, then it will no doubt be an added bonus. And indeed would be a beautiful experience to visit and celebrate the festivals with the family.

Beyond Usual Trip

Homestays are usually built in residential neighbourhoods, or around nature away from the crowded place and so-called tourist spots. Even the host can guide you to explore such nearby places, which you may avail it in a cheaper way.

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Memories you create

It is not like that if you stay at a place other than any homestay you do not create memories. However, it is all about the quality and not the quantity. Staying in a homestay gives you an opportunity to jelly with the root. This leads to connecting with the local people directly, the culture, and language. How the locals are building their relationship with the surroundings. These things help you create beautiful memories and the asset which will cherish you throughout your life.

In the conclusion, it can be said homestay is a unique concept, even though it comes under the hospitality service. And should not be compared with hotels and similar type of services.