The Tourism Department Kargil convened an interactive session for Councillors on Revised Homestay Policy 2023 at the Tourist Reception Centre Kargil on December 2.

Detailed discussions and deliberations were held on different aspects of the Revised Ladakh Homestay Policy 2023 for its effective implementation in the district.

Executive Councilor, Phunchok Tashi suggested that publicity should be done through different media platforms so that people are informed about the Revised Homestay Policy.

EC, Kacho Mohammad Feroz stressed awareness at the village level to implement the Revised Homestay Policy in the district.

He said there is a need to address the loopholes that were there in the previous Homestay Policy and the need to involve the local stakeholders in the tourism policy and suggested encouraging their participation at all levels.

He also suggested that the Tourism Department should focus on the promotion of local treks and organise outreach programs. EC said LAHDC Kargil is committed to the promotion of tourism in the district.

He hoped that in the future tourism will be promoted and LAHDC is committed to its implementation. He also stressed Urdu advertisements so that it is easily understood by people at large.

EC Aga Syeed Mujtaba Mussavi also stressed exploring tourist destinations to attract tourists from national and international levels to the district.

Earlier, Assistant Director Tourism Kargil, Agha Syed Toha briefed about the Revised Homestay Policy 2023 and informed about the procedure to fill the application forms to set up the Homestay in the district. 

In the revised Homestay Policy there have been many changes that are aimed at facilitating the tourists and making their stay comfortable. Under the new policy, an eligible person/beneficiary will get Rs 3 lakh for setting up the homestay provided he completes all the document formalities and regulations. 

AD said that the Tourism Department after following proper procedures will select those beneficiaries who will run Homestays sincerely and will cover only rural areas in the district. 

The District Tourism Officer, Ghulam Rasool Lal also briefed about the Revised Homestay Policy 2023 aimed to promote an ecologically sustainable culturally responsible, and regenerative tourism experience in the rural areas of Ladakh. He also briefed about the eligibility criteria for applying for Homestay in the district.

The Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh recently notified the revised “Ladakh Homestay Policy 2023″ to strengthen the rural economy by promoting responsible and sustainable tourism in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Under the new policy, the Councilors of LAHDC Kargil would be one of the members of the District Level verification Committee for their respective constituencies.

The revised policy is drafted based on feedback and inputs from the stakeholders on the earlier Homestay Policy issued in 2020. The policy will be implemented outside the protected areas by the Department of Tourism, Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh, and in the ‘Protected Areas’ by the Department of Wildlife Protection. The homestays will be located outside the municipal limits of Leh and Kargil town.