Homestay tourism across the Himalayan region could serve as a viable and sustainable alternative to mass tourism, offering economic opportunities for rural communities while reducing pressure on fragile mountain ecosystems, according to a new academic study.
The research, published this year in the journal Environmental Development, was conducted by Payel Bhattacharya of Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University and Subrata Haldar, who evaluated 12 homestay destinations in the Kalimpong district of India’s eastern Himalayas.
“Our study shows that community-based homestays can support sustainable tourism development, but only when infrastructure, accessibility and environmental management are properly addressed,” Bhattacharya said.
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Using a multicriteria evaluation framework, the researchers applied the CRITIC method to determine objective weights for sustainability indicators, followed by PROMETHEE and GAIA analyses to rank destinations. The indicators included physical access, availability of basic services, community participation and environmental conditions.
The analysis identified Kolakham as the highest-ranking homestay destination, citing relatively good accessibility, adequate accommodation facilities and strong integration of natural resources into tourism activities. In contrast, Rocky Island ranked lowest due to limited infrastructure, economic constraints and weaker tourism services.
The study found that no single destination performed well across all criteria. Several locations scored highly in environmental sustainability but lagged in infrastructure, while others demonstrated economic potential at the cost of increased ecological pressure. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that sustainability outcomes depend heavily on policy priorities and local planning decisions.
“Himalayan regions face distinct challenges related to terrain, climate vulnerability and limited connectivity,” Haldar said. “Homestays can diversify local incomes without the environmental footprint of large hotels, but they require targeted investment, training and governance.”
Unlike large-scale tourism developments, homestays typically rely on existing homes, family labor and locally sourced materials, allowing tourism revenue to circulate within villages. However, the researchers warned that small-scale tourism is not inherently sustainable and can still strain water supplies, waste systems and natural habitats if left unmanaged.
The findings come as Himalayan communities increasingly confront climate-related risks, including landslides, glacier retreat and unpredictable weather patterns, all of which affect both livelihoods and tourism access.
The researchers recommend destination-specific planning, improved infrastructure, capacity-building for homestay operators and stronger involvement of local communities in tourism decision-making to ensure long-term sustainability.
Homestay tourism has expanded rapidly across the Himalayas over the past decade. According to estimates cited by the researchers, tens of thousands of homestays now operate across Himalayan regions spanning India, Nepal and Bhutan, reflecting growing demand for low-impact, community-based travel. The study suggests that as their numbers continue to rise, evidence-based planning will be critical to ensure that homestays remain a solution rather than a new source of environmental stress. (Wage Erlangga)
