Planning a secure and entertaining-filled homestay location this festive season? “Nothing is keeping me in Seattle. I can draw anywhere”, Eleanor’s observation in Maria Semple’s second novel ‘Today Will Be Different’ is sure to resonate with travellers who want to unwind and take a leisurely break. Amidst the pandemic, the want to unwind via immersive travel experiences is essential to one’s personal happiness quotient in these hugely uncertain occasions.
Logical queries emerge with regard to India’s travel and hospitality segment such as: Is hospitality a lucrative business? Is homestay lucrative in India? Many are the factors why homestay is superior than hotels. Examine the level of detailing in personalising hospitality services as one aspect. Another aspect relates to sustaining the timescale and attain of immersive experiences that a traveller can delight in in the course of the day.
For instance, the ‘amã Stays & Trails’ guests in Munnar can go trout fishing which is an solution that is otherwise obtainable only in the Himalayas. In the world renowned Makaibari tea estate in Darjeeling, guests can discover tea tasting and the subtleties of the vintage teas that have been harvested at Makaibari for more than 159 years. In Coorg at the Pollibetta Bungalow, one can trek via the coffee plantations with a guide. For these pressed for time, places like Lonavala, Khadakwasla, and Munnar provide helipads for chopper landing. amã Stays & Trails also present EV charging stations at choose places.
What is the homestay idea?
The home remain idea is catching up in the post-pandemic situation. Why? Simple. Now, travellers want to delight in all the comforts they have at home but the home remain becomes an immersive encounter in a leisure location of their selection. The thought of becoming exactly where you want to discover is a feeling that leads to an encounter. Travellers can method homestays with distinct and special needs as effectively and engage in a more personalised way as compared to hotels.
Speaking exclusively to TheSpuzz Online, Sarabjeet Singh, Head of Expressions, IHCL observes, “In February 2019, when we launched ‘amã Stays & Trails’, it was the first branded product in the fast-growing homestay market in India. As a pioneer in Indian hospitality, IHCL has put many destinations like Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa, Andamans, and more recently, North-East India, on the global tourist map. As a company we have always believed in creating destinations and the business model of “amã” offers us access to lesser recognized locations by offering accommodation in regions exactly where it is not however economically viable to create massive resorts or hotels.”
Terming this move as a step towards ‘tapping into the potential of India’s developing homestay segment,” IHCL’s Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Puneet Chhatwal emphasises that every homestay brings alive the neighborhood culture and heritage of the location via a plethora of immersive and genuine experiences such as regional cuisine specialties, outside activities and lesser recognized destinations that travellers can discover.
Is homestay secure in India?
Well-established and trusted hospitality brands make homestay a secure and genuine encounter for travellers. In this context, amã Stays & Trails crossed a notable milestone of 50 bungalows combined with seven brand new signings across the nation spanning Nature-centric places such as Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, amongst other people.
From a traveller’s point of view, amã Stays & Trails delivers immersive and genuine neighborhood experiences to guests in picturesque destinations though opening up new places to travel to. For Indian travellers who pick homestays in the course of their travels, obtaining the solution of a trusted brand tends to make all the distinction.
This is the essential point that Sarabjeet Singh, Head of Expressions, IHCL emphasises, “We have evolved a hub-and-spoke model where every amã bungalow is supported by a nearby IHCL hotel in each region providing the assurance of safe and bespoke service together with IHCL’s stringent standards of hygiene, safety, and security across all its properties. During the pandemic, we saw consumer sentiment and behaviour gravitating towards “bubble holidays”, with a robust preference for private stays, factoring in security and social distancing measures. amã bungalows present in off-beat places inside driving distances of main urban hubs, present travellers customized services inclusive of remain, all meals, a devoted on-web site Chef and hugely educated service employees.”
Another benefit for pet owners is that all amã bungalows are pet friendly.
Homestay in India: A developing industry for alternate accommodation
Wondering how speedy is the hospitality business developing or asking oneself ‘How can I book a homestay in India?’ The alternatives are lots, so are the genuine travel experiences.
“We diversified our offerings to tap into the potential of the growing market for alternative accommodation, which today is in its nascent stage but is already growing to play a significant role in various markets. Having started the journey with nine heritage bungalows under a management contract in Coorg and Chikmagalur, the amã portfolio has today grown to 51 bungalows across leisure destinations including Goa, Alleppey, Trivandrum, Lonavala, Khadakwasla, Madh Island, Munnar, Darjeeling and Alibaug among others. By 2025 we are targeting a portfolio of 500 ama bungalows on management contracts. It is a great business proposition for home owners too. amã provides them a platform to monetize their asset and convert it into a profit- making business managed by IHCL,” Sarabjeet Singh tells TheSpuzz Online.
Currently, the ‘amã Stays & Trails’ brand has a portfolio of 51 bungalows and villas which includes 18 below development.
Clearly, a nation as diverse and breathtakingly vibrant as India has substantially to present and develop in the category of homestays. For Indian travellers exploring scenic and secure destinations, this is all about figuring out how to optimise their travel experiences to the fullest.