Bhopal, April 4 (AHN) The Madhya Pradesh government’s ‘homestay’ concept, which provides tourists with an experience of the “Heart of India” through local customs, lifestyle, and home-cooked food, has witnessed significant success over the past two years.​

A senior official in the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department on Saturday told AHN that the number of tourists visiting the rapidly growing network of homestays is steadily increasing. He said that a significant number of homestays can be found across the state, situated along highways, near scenic natural areas, and within tribal regions.​

Currently, 346 homestays are operated by villagers across 98 selected villages in Madhya Pradesh, while another 642 are under construction and will soon be ready to welcome tourists.​

“Through these homestays, both domestic and international tourists now have easy access to the rich tapestry of rural culture. In the past two years, approximately 34,000 tourists have stayed at these homestays, gaining a firsthand experience of rural life,” the official said.​

Besides providing a better place for tourists to experience simple lives during their homestays, the initiative also serves its main purpose of generating substantial employment opportunities within rural areas and sources of income.​

“Through pleasant accommodation facilities, the flavours of traditional cuisine, and exposure to local folk art, dance, music, and handicrafts, the families operating these homestays have generated an income of Rs 6.76 crore in the past two years,” the official added.​

The concept was introduced with the primary objectives of transforming the rural economy, creating employment opportunities within villages, and preserving rural cultural heritage.​

Villages near tourist destinations, as well as those endowed with pristine natural beauty and a distinct tribal cultural identity, have been selected and integrated into the rural tourism network.​

For instance, Khari, a village located in the Sehore district adjacent to Bhopal, has established itself as a ‘model tourism village.’​

The village has so far hosted approximately 209 national and international delegates, representing both government and non-governmental organisations, who visited to study the contribution of tourism villages to community-based rural economies.​

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) actively supports integrated development and expansion through periodic technical training programmes aimed at enhancing the skills of villagers in areas such as hospitality, hygiene, and general skill development.​