The Hindu : Front Page : 20 hosts in home stay scheme

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 20, 2009
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20 hosts in home stay scheme

R. Sairam

MADURAI: The Department of Tourism’s novel scheme to involve locals in the promotion of tourism has gathered momentum in Madurai district with around 20 residents signing up.

Formulated to increase room capacity in the State, the Bed and Breakfast (home stay) scheme envisages spacious houses being rented out to tourists at affordable prices. The list of participants has also been provided on the Tourism Department’s website along with telephone numbers ( http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/ Hotels/TTDCHotels/ BBintroduction.aspx).

Official sources told The Hindu here on Saturday that such house owners here had been approved by the department’s head office in Chennai after police clearance.

Depending on the response, the number could increase in the future. The period between September and March was considered the peak season for the arrival of foreign tourists. Seminars were conducted at several places in Tamil Nadu to implement this scheme with over 100 households participating in Madurai.

After inspection of the houses, the department has short-listed more than 75 Bed and Breakfast service providers in various districts for the benefit of tourists covering important sites in districts such as The Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Thanjavur, and Kanyakumari.

Another list would be added on completion of the inspection procedure. According to the sources, the tariff in Madurai would range from Rs. 400 to Rs. 1,500.

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