Analysis of government guidelines on homestays for rural economic development in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, India

This study examines the economic impact of Uttarakhand government guidelines on rural tourism development with a specific focus on homestay operations. The analysis reveals varying levels of adherence to government guidelines across different aspects of homestay management. Predominantly, owners demonstrate commitment to adhering to homestay amenities guidelines, although some exhibit medium or low adherence due to factors such as awareness and financial constraints. Furthermore, while homestay registration processes witness high adherence attributed to effective government support, the marketing and facilitation efforts display diverse adherence levels influenced by resource availability. Financial aid guidelines also garner substantial adherence, reflecting respondent’s awareness of financial benefits. Perceptions of homestay owners regarding income generation, income diversification, local business linkages, skill development opportunities, and employment prospects underscore the significant role of homestays in local economic prosperity. Correlation analysis reveals positive associations between adherence to government guidelines and various economic development indicators, highlighting the importance of regulatory compliance in fostering economic growth in homestay-based tourism economies. The study contributes an adherence-impact of the government model that addresses the importance of QoG theory in economic infrastructure development in Uttarakhand.