Investigating the Impacts of Homestay Tourism on a Local Community: Homestay Operators' Perspectives in Anantnag District

Background: Homestay tourism, characterized by travelers residing in the homes of local residents, offers an intimate and authentic experience that fosters cultural exchange. This paper explores the impacts of homestay tourism on a local community, focusing on the Anantnag District in the Kashmir Valley. Drawing upon the insights of homestay operators, this research investigates the economic, sociocultural, and environmental dimensions of this tourism phenomenon. Objective: To investigate the economic, sociocultural, and environmental implications of homestays on a local community and to determine differences in how the neighborhood perceives these impacts. Methods: This study uses a quantitative research design, including a self-administered questionnaire with 160 respondents out of a total of 259 homestays. The Student’s t-test and Regression Analysis are used as statistical approaches. Conclusion: The homestay operators had favorable opinions of how homestay tourism affected the local economy, particularly in terms of promoting the expansion of local businesses, generating employment opportunities, and ultimately raising locals' income levels. There are no appreciable differences between how the homestay operators view the economic and sociocultural effects of homestay tourism. Additionally, the environmental impacts of homestays were perceived positively, with minimal concerns about waste management, traffic congestion, and noise pollution, indicating that homestays contribute to maintaining local cleanliness and environmental sustainability.