Tribal Beneficiaries from Surguja, Jashpur, Kabirdham and Bastar Receive Special Training in Homestay Management and Digital Marketing
Published on: October 30, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur, India
Homestay tourism is emerging as a new avenue for employment and self-employment among local communities, youth and women’s groups in the tribal and rural regions of Chhattisgarh. Through the state’s New Industrial Policy and Homestay Policy, the government is promoting tourism in tribal areas such as Bastar, Surguja and Jashpur.
The initiative aims to showcase Chhattisgarh’s rich tribal culture, traditional cuisine and rural lifestyle to tourists from across India and abroad, while strengthening the rural economy and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal families.
Special Training Programme for Tribal Beneficiaries
An initiative has been undertaken to connect tourism opportunities in tribal regions with self-employment. With financial support from the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Tribal Research and Training Institute (TRTI), Nava Raipur, organised a special training programme for Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries to help them develop livelihoods through homestay operations.
In the first phase, beneficiaries from four selected districts—Surguja, Jashpur, Kabirdham and Bastar—were included in the programme.
As part of this initiative, a one-day state-level orientation programme was organised at the TRTI campus on October 28, with technical support from the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Raipur.
Homestays Can Strengthen Tribal Families Economically
Addressing the participants, TRTI Director Hina Animesh Netam said Chhattisgarh’s rich tribal culture, traditional lifestyle and natural beauty held significant attraction for tourists from India and abroad.
She said expanding homestay tourism could strengthen local families economically while giving wider recognition to the state’s cultural heritage.
Promoting tourism-based activities in rural areas would create local employment opportunities and enable tribal families to earn a regular income while preserving their traditions and cultural identity, she added.
Guidance on Homestay Policy and Registration
During the first technical session, Chhattisgarh Tourism Department expert Dr Shubhada Chaturvedi explained various provisions of the state’s Homestay Policy.
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She provided detailed guidance on the registration process, government-prescribed standards, required documents and available subsidy assistance. The session was aimed at helping beneficiaries understand the formal requirements for starting homestay businesses.
IIM Raipur Expert Explains Homestay Business Management
In the second session, Tousif Ayesha Ansari, an expert from IIM Raipur, explained practical ways to develop homestays into successful enterprises.
She highlighted the importance of cleanliness, hospitality, proper maintenance of rooms and premises, and quality services for visitors. Participants were also guided on how to start businesses with limited resources and gradually develop them into sustainable sources of regular income.
Digital Marketing to Connect Homestays with Tourists
The final session focused on digital marketing. Expert Jyotirmay Devangan provided training on the effective use of social media, online travel portals and other digital platforms.
He explained that modern technology could help beneficiaries connect directly with tourists without depending on intermediaries. This could increase online bookings and give their homestay businesses wider visibility.
Participants Show Interest in Starting Homestay Businesses
At the conclusion of the programme, participants from all four districts interacted with experts and received answers to their queries.
They described the training as useful for developing self-employment opportunities and expressed enthusiasm about starting homestay businesses in their respective areas.
The initiative aims to strengthen the economic independence of tribal families, promote local tourism and bring Chhattisgarh’s distinctive folk culture to greater national and international recognition.
