“Homestay” Entrepreneurship Development Program sponsored by Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun
The Context
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdowns have had a disastrous impact on the country’s hospitality industry. However, the industry will bounce back as there is a huge demand for business and travel. During the last one and a half years, when the youth travelled back to their villages for work, we saw that there were immense opportunities, especially for those who had already worked in the hospitality sector.
Learnet Skills’ Homestay Entrepreneurship Course
Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has identified 32 more villages that would be developed under the third phase of the Trekking Traction Centre – Homestay scheme. If given the right training, the youth has the potential to establish a series of homestays across Uttarakhand under a single banner.
Our course, in collaboration with Swami Rama Himalaya University (SRHU), was thus designed keeping in the mind the above factors to avoid the youth from migrating out of the state. The objective was to provide a holistic understanding of the management of homestays, to the extent that they can successfully register with the homestay network of their choice.
With minimal marketing, we received 750 applications over 3 months. To maximise public health and safety, the entire course was conducted online after checking the internet connectivity of the beneficiaries. The pilot phase was completed with 100 applicants in 4 batches. The program imparts complete knowledge of entrepreneurship as well as handholding in setting up the property. Further, homestay experts also visit the property to make necessary modifications and extend support. Candidates were certified under the National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBD) so avail benefits and financial assistance through government schemes.
6 modules
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Entrepreneurship
-
Developing Soft Skills
-
Digital Literacy Competencies
-
COVID-19 Hygiene
-
Hospitality and Tourism
-
Facility Management
“Migration for villages of the Uttarakhand mountains has been a chronic problem and one of the main reasons is employment & income generation. Through the Enterprise Development Program, we endeavour to empower the youth of Uttarakhand with industry skills. The Swami Rama Himalayan University did a pilot with 100 trainees on the Homestay EDP program intending to provide hospitality skills, develop soft skills as well as hand-hold the trainees so that they are ready to promote and receive the guests at their Home Stay. We have received an overwhelming response and we hope to continue in the near future as well”
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Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Dr Vijay Dhasmana
The Ministry of Tourism has classified fully operational Homestay facilities as ‘Incredible India Bed and Breakfast/Homestay Establishments’. The idea behind this was to provide a clean and affordable place for foreigners and domestic tourists to stay with an Indian family and experience Indian customs and traditions.
While Uttarakhand has a few homestays in more tourist spots of the state, the concept is not yet well organised. However, due to its popularity in Himachal Pradesh, it is becoming more popular even in Uttarakhand as visitors are looking for authentic local food and accommodation. Tourists include pilgrims, trekkers and explorers from all over the globe. A program to develop homestays thus seeks to employ the youth while also boosting the economy in a manner that protects the ecology of the area.
Learnet Skills’ Homestay Entrepreneurship Course
Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has identified 32 more villages that would be developed under the third phase of the Trekking Traction Centre – Homestay scheme. If given the right training, the youth has the potential to establish a series of homestays across Uttarakhand under a single banner.
Our course, in collaboration with Swami Rama Himalaya University (SRHU), was thus designed keeping in the mind the above factors to avoid the youth from migrating out of the state. The objective was to provide a holistic understanding of the management of homestays, to the extent that they can successfully register with the homestay network of their choice.
With minimal marketing, we received 750 applications over 3 months. To maximise public health and safety, the entire course was conducted online after checking the internet connectivity of the beneficiaries. The pilot phase was completed with 100 applicants in 4 batches. The program imparts complete knowledge of entrepreneurship as well as handholding in setting up the property. Further, homestay experts also visit the property to make necessary modifications and extend support. Candidates were certified under the National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBD) so avail benefits and financial assistance through government schemes.
6 modules
-
Entrepreneurship
-
Developing Soft Skills
-
Digital Literacy Competencies
-
COVID-19 Hygiene
-
Hospitality and Tourism
-
Facility Management
“Migration for villages of the Uttarakhand mountains has been a chronic problem and one of the main reasons is employment & income generation. Through the Enterprise Development Program, we endeavour to empower the youth of Uttarakhand with industry skills. The Swami Rama Himalayan University did a pilot with 100 trainees on the Homestay EDP program intending to provide hospitality skills, develop soft skills as well as hand-hold the trainees so that they are ready to promote and receive the guests at their Home Stay. We have received an overwhelming response and we hope to continue in the near future as well”
-
Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Dr Vijay Dhasmana