Mahindra Homestays, a brand of Mahindra Holidays and Resorts, plans to almost triple its rooms capacity to 2,000 during this fiscal with a view to capitalise on the expected high tourist influx on account of the Commonwealth Games.The concept of homestay is still new in the country. Currently, Mahindra Homestays has about 270 homes with 650-700 rooms listed under it in 15 states and 50 locations,” the company’s business head, Vimla Dorairaju said.
The Homestay concept provides accommodation in a private home run by the home-owner, she said. Explaining further, she said, Homestay offers an insight into the culture, traditions, history and everyday life of an Indian family and the guests get to enjoy home-cooked food.
The company, launched in July 2008, now plans to foray into 1-2 states, she said. “We are focused on a slightly evolved audience which is well-traveled and looking for a different experience,” said Dorairaju.
The homestay domestic audience is mostly between 25-35. The company presently provides five types of homestay experience to tourists - palaces, heritage homes, city homes, plantation homes and rural homes. The company, she said, is now focused on states like Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
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