| News Details |
| 21-Day Homestay Training Programme Launched in Kargil | | to Strengthen Rural Tourism, Local Entrepreneurship | to Strengthen Rural Tourism, Local Entrepreneurship
PM-JUGA–RAMP initiative brings together hospitality training, field exposure and digital skills to transform homestays into sustainable rural enterprises
Kargil,
Kargil, October 17(Scoop News)- A 21-day Homestay Training Programme under the Homestay Holistic Support Framework (HHSF) was inaugurated at the Tourist Facilitation Centre (TFC), Bemathang, Kargil, to strengthen community-based tourism, enhance hospitality standards and create sustainable livelihood opportunities in rural Ladakh.
The programme, scheduled to continue until November 5, 2026, is being organized jointly by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Industries & Commerce, UT Ladakh, through the convergence of the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA) and Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme, with Firgun Social Initiative Foundation as the knowledge and implementation partner.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, and Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Development Authority, Kargil Sh. Ghulam Muhammad, JKAS, attended the inaugural ceremony as Chief Guest. Functional Manager, District Industries Centre, Kargil, Showkat Ahmed; Assistant Director Tourism, Kargil, Muhammad Ali Tak; Tourist Officer Abdul Aziz; representatives of the participating departments, resource persons and homestay beneficiaries from different parts of Kargil, including Aryan Valley and Suru Valley, were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Ghulam Muhammad emphasized that sustainable tourism development requires active participation and ownership by local communities. He observed that the success of homestays ultimately depends on the quality of hospitality, professionalism and experiences offered by local entrepreneurs.
The ADC encouraged participants to build upon their local culture, traditional cuisine, heritage and natural surroundings to create distinctive visitor experiences and particularly stressed the importance of practical learning, exposure to successful tourism models, digital outreach and stronger coordination among local tourism stakeholders. He urged beneficiaries to make full use of the training to develop independent and sustainable enterprises.
Functional Manager, District Industries Centre, Sh. Showkat Ahmad, highlighted entrepreneurship opportunities available under various government schemes, including the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). He encouraged participants to explore financial assistance and other support measures through the concerned departments, subject to prescribed eligibility and scheme guidelines.
Assistant Director Tourism, Muhammad Ali Tak, underscored the importance of guest safety, comfort, cleanliness and professional hospitality in building Ladakh's reputation as a quality tourism destination. He encouraged homestay owners to promote local traditions, cuisine and lesser-known tourist destinations while ensuring responsible tourism practices and protecting Ladakh's fragile environment. He observed that memorable visitor experiences could encourage repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth promotion of Kargil.
The 21-day training programme combines classroom sessions, practical demonstrations and field exposure, covering guest hospitality, homestay management, housekeeping, hygiene, food safety, traditional cuisine, local heritage, community-based tourism and sustainable practices. The curriculum also includes exposure to successful homestay models in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, along with training in digital marketing, online booking platforms, social media promotion, pricing, financial management and market linkages. Special emphasis is being placed on developing village-specific tourism experiences, integrating local farmers, artisans and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into the tourism value chain, and enabling participants to prepare practical business plans for improving their homestays.
Vivek Saxena of Firgun Social Initiative Foundation outlined the programme's practical approach, including the preparation of village-specific tourism itineraries and improved market visibility for participating homestays. He also referred to an itinerary-building digital platform under development to showcase trained homestays alongside local tourism experiences.
The initiative seeks to equip homestay beneficiaries with the skills, market access and entrepreneurial capabilities required to develop professionally managed, environmentally responsible and economically viable homestays. By linking hospitality with local culture, agriculture, handicrafts and village experiences, the programme aims to ensure that the benefits of tourism reach a wider section of rural communities across Ladakh.
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