- Specialized Training in Home-Stay Operations and Digital Marketing for Tribal Beneficiaries in Surguja, Jashpur, Kabirdham, and Bastar
- Integrating Tribal Culture and Natural Beauty with Tourism to Strengthen the Rural Economy
In the tribal and rural regions of Chhattisgarh, tourism and home-stay initiatives are creating new employment and self-employment opportunities for local residents, youth, and women’s groups. Under its new industrial and home-stay policies, the Chhattisgarh state government is actively promoting tourism in tribal areas such as Bastar, Surguja, and Jashpur. These initiatives serve as a powerful medium to showcase Chhattisgarh’s rich tribal culture, traditional cuisine, and rural lifestyle to tourists from across the country and the world.
A significant initiative has been launched to link the tourism potential of Chhattisgarh’s tribal regions with self-employment opportunities. With financial support from the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Tribal Research and Training Institute (TRTI), Naya Raipur, organized a specialized training program for beneficiaries from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community, aimed at creating new livelihood avenues through the operation of home-stays.
In the first phase of this initiative, beneficiaries from four selected districts—Surguja, Jashpur, Kabirdham, and Bastar—have been included. As part of this effort, a one-day state-level orientation program was held on October 28 at the TRTI campus, with technical support from the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Raipur.
Addressing the participants, Ms. Hina Animesh Netam, Director of TRTI, noted that Chhattisgarh’s rich tribal culture, traditional lifestyle, and natural beauty serve as a major attraction for tourists from both within the country and abroad. The expansion of home-stay tourism will not only economically empower local families but also provide a new identity to the state’s cultural heritage. It was noted that promoting tourism-based activities in rural areas will create local employment opportunities. This will enable tribal families to earn a regular income while preserving their traditions and unique cultural characteristics.
In the first technical session of the training, Dr. Shubhada Chaturvedi, an expert from the Chhattisgarh Tourism Department, explained the various provisions of the home-stay policy. She provided detailed guidance on the registration process, government-mandated standards, required documentation, and available grant assistance.
In the second session, Ms. Tausif Ayesha Ansari, an expert from IIM Raipur, shared practical strategies for developing a home-stay into a successful enterprise. She emphasized the importance of cleanliness, hospitality, the maintenance of rooms and premises, and the provision of high-quality services for tourists. She also offered insights on how to start a business with limited resources and transform it into a sustainable source of regular income.
In the final session, which focused on digital marketing, expert Mr. Jyotirmay Dewangan provided training on the effective use of social media, online travel portals, and various other digital platforms. He explained that with the help of modern technology, beneficiaries can connect directly with tourists, bypassing intermediaries. This will help increase online bookings for home-stays and provide the business with broader recognition.
At the conclusion of the program, participants from the four districts had their queries addressed by the experts. Describing the training as highly useful for self-employment, they expressed enthusiasm about launching home-stay businesses in their respective regions. This initiative will prove significant in enhancing the economic self-reliance of tribal families, promoting local tourism, and bringing national and international recognition to the unique folk culture of Chhattisgarh.