NEC for promotion of homestay in NE

Shillong, April 7: Ram Muivah, Secretary, North Eastern Council (NEC) has suggested that the key festivals and destitions in the northeast be identified to promote homestay entrepreneurs and the destitions.

Muivah made this suggestion to officials during a meeting of NEC officials with executives of the Airbnb, an American hospitality company. The NEC officials also discussed the possibility of gearing up support for the tiol Games 2022 being held in Meghalaya.

The NEC officials also discussed the possibility of simplifying regulations for homestays to accelerate their growth by discussing with the State Governments, including their possible exemption from trade license requirements.

It may be pointed out that officials of the NEC recently met executives of the Airbnb, to discuss the way forward for implementing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). 

It may be mentioned that on March 19, at New Delhi, the NEC, North-Eastern Tourism Development Council (NETDC), North Eastern Region Community Resource Magement Project (NERCORMP), North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP) signed a MoU with Airbnb. At the meeting it was decided that Airbnb will work closely with NERLP, NERCORMP and NETDC to empower homestay entrepreneurs across the region by aligning with the State Governments and other stakeholders including local community based organizations.

It was agreed under the MoU to expand tourism in the region through Airbnb’s global platform, improve the quality of homestay facilities and unique properties in the northeast of India, provide and promote outstanding tourism resources and cooperate to improve the regulatory environment for home sharing.