Jammu, (UNI) In a bid to improve tourists footfall in the union territory, increase entrepreneurship, aid job opportunity and open up uncharted areas, the Jammu and Kashmir government and OYO Group on Thursday launched rural home stay under the “Crown of Incredible India” project.
The launch program took place here at the Raj Bhawan, as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha along with top officials of OYO Group started the project with the aim to help operationalise up to 200 home stays in Udhampur, Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag, Doda and other under penetrated districts during the next year.
The Raj Bhawan spokesperson said the project will encourage micro-entrepreneurs in the villages.
“It will revitalize local art and crafts and redevelopment of rural areas,” he said, adding: “Undoubtedly, nature has blessed J&K with great scenic beauty and rural home stays will offer a piece of eternal culture, cuisine, traditions and warm and friendly hospitality of J&K UT to domestic and international travellers.”
By December, around 200 home stays will be available on OYO platform,” he said.
Sinha said, “J&K Govt under Mission Youth will support 500 youth for establishing home stay and Rs 50,000 financial assistance per home stay will be provided for refurbishment.”
“The venture will help in building a tourist infrastructure of world standards in rural J&K,” Sinha said, adding that this new initiative will empower local communities, youth and women, fulfilling the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
“Through vocal for local products, individuals and enterprises will help in poverty alleviation and sustainable development,” said the LG.
The initiative has been taken with an aim to uplift the lives of local communities and to turn the youths of Jammu and Kashmir into startup entrepreneurs.
Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and Group CEO, OYO, said, “We, at OYO, are thrilled to be a part of the unique tourism opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir, and are excited to welcome travellers visiting the state for unique stay experience at these home-stays.
“We are proud to extend our partnership with the Jammu and Kashmir Government to generate economic and employment opportunities in the districts.”
OYO will also partner with the government’s ‘Mission Youth’ programme to open home stays across 75 villages to promote entrepreneurship and create self-employment opportunities.
The Mission Youth initiative of the J&K Government provides a platform to local youth under multiple schemes. It offers financial assistance, last-mile infrastructure and accessibility to promote sustainable livelihood.
OYO will assist in the training of existing and potential homeowners on responsible hosting, hospitality standards, hygiene and basic amenities, the Oyo Media Relation Officer said.
“Rural homestays in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra have started to rival conventional tourism. Having the most beautiful locales in the country, J&K is determined to catch up,” Sinha said.
“J&K is today the 6th largest tourist destination in India in terms of tourist influx. It has created both jobs and revenue. In Aug-Nov 2021, the state witnessed 52 lakh tourists, which is growing by the day,” he added.
