Uttarakhand has become the first state to go fully online for its homestay facilities.
With some 50,000 homestays listed online, Uttarakhand's listings have been done under the aegis of the state’s tourism department. The homestays are thus under the cover of the state.
Uttarakhand Tourism Council chief executive officer Sachin Kurve said the department had helped develop the homestays in three manners. One, by giving raw materials in a subsidised manner so that the structures built are strong. Two, by training the owner of the homestay and thirdly by listing the homestay on the portal.
There is provision for rating the homestays and this will allow the homestays to improve their standards. These are listed at www.uttarastays.com
Kurve said that the government had a bigger plan for these homestays. "They will be lined to wellness centres in and around the area".
The stamp of government approval- in that the homestays are listed on a government portal automatically makes these appear safe to a traveller.
The website is divided by destinations: right from Karnaprayag to Bageshwar, and from Haldwani to Pithoragarh. Homestays can also be searched by themes which include pilgrimage, adventure, food and wellness retreat.
There is also an option for various kinds of stays- right from apartments and bungalows, to treehouses and cottages. Despite the extensive listing, no tree houses or camps could be found listed.
Prospective users can only get a room or the entire property to themselves. Currently, there are 383 properties listed on the website. The rates range from Rs 600 to Rs 18,000.