WHAT IT TAKES TO OPEN A HOMESTAY

Dive into the captivating tales of entrepreneurial spirit as individuals transform their homes into thriving homestays. From picturesque getaways in Ravangla to urban havens in Kolkata, discover the secrets behind turning dreams into successful hospitality businesses

- Meghna Maiti

Jigmey Dorjee Bhutia, 55, a senior teacher at a government school in Ravangla, South Sikkim, and a trained monk, runs a homestay tucked away in a picturesque spot of the idyllic town that is about 65 km from the state capital of Gangtok.

He first experimented with the idea in 2006, but it didn’t work out then due to lack of proper planning and marketing. In 2018, he restarted the project in a more planned manner. He first revamped a part of his house, which he had to anyway do for its upkeep, and registered the property on some popular travel websites to ensure maximum reach.

This time around, the idea worked. “The income (from the homestay) has been steady, except in phases such as during the Covid period and the Sikkim floods,” says Jigmey.

The income from the homestay adds to his earnings from the farm he owns and his regular teaching job, but money was never the main consideration behind starting a homestay. “The main purpose was to give visibility to the town among national and international people and highlight its history and the old monasteries in the region. I have a farm, and other means of income, besides my government job; I am not fully dependent on the homestay income,” says Jigmey. He adds that one of the aspects he most enjoys about running a homestay is interacting with new people and learning from their varied experiences.