Homestays Go Digital: Manipur Empowers Locals Through New Tourism Portal

Ukhrul: As the curtains closed on the vibrant 5th State-Level Shirui Lily Festival 2025, Manipur marked more than a celebration of culture and biodiversity. This year’s festival signaled a transformative shift in the state’s approach to sustainable tourism. Central to this development was the launch of the Manipur Homestay Registration Portal (www.manipurhomestays.in), a digital initiative aimed at empowering local communities through tourism.

Launched under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme, supported by the World Bank, the portal allows residents across the state to register their properties as certified homestays. The move aims to bolster rural economies, promote authentic travel experiences, and position Manipur as a leading eco-cultural destination in the Northeast.

The new Homestay Policy and Guidelines, effective from May 1, 2025, outline infrastructure and service benchmarks designed to ensure guest safety, comfort, and transparency. Room tariffs are standardized, ₹2,200 for double bedrooms, ₹1,100 for single rooms, and ₹500 for dormitory beds, alongside mandatory provisions like hygiene protocols, emergency contact lists, and complaint redressal systems. Each homestay is also required to maintain a guest register and display safety information, helping to foster trust between hosts and travelers.

Related | Shirui Lily Festival Concludes Peacefully in Ukhrul

The platform’s launch was prominently featured during the five-day Shirui Lily Festival, held in Ukhrul district. Festival-goers had the opportunity to interact with tourism officials and homestay aspirants, while enjoying a rich lineup of events including ShiRock (headlined by Bombay Vikings), the first-ever Shirui Lily Literature Festival, the MTB Downhill Championship, fashion showcases, and exhibitions of indigenous textiles and tribal cuisine.

While the community-based homestay model has been widely welcomed, experts and residents have highlighted the importance of complementary government infrastructure. Establishing a network of permanent state-run guest houses across strategic districts could significantly strengthen Manipur’s hospitality ecosystem—especially during peak tourist seasons or in remote areas with limited private accommodations.

These state-run facilities could:

– Provide reliable lodging during emergencies or when community homestays are at capacity.

– Cater to vulnerable groups such as solo women travelers, the elderly, or first-time visitors seeking secure and structured stays.

– Serve as training centers for homestay owners in hospitality best practices.

– Enhance Manipur’s professional appeal for researchers, officials, and international tourists.

Also read | Shirui Lily Literature Festival Debuts in Ukhrul as Part of the Celebrated Shirui Lily Festival

As Manipur embraces a future rooted in community-driven, culturally rich, and environmentally conscious tourism, the RAMP-backed homestay portal marks a foundational step. But the journey ahead will depend on integrating grassroots participation with institutional support, creating a tourism model that is resilient, inclusive, and unmistakably local.

With its hills resonating with music, lilies in full bloom, and homes opening their doors to the world, Manipur is ready – to host, to heal, and to grow.