Sikkim Government Bans leasing of homestays to third parties

The Sikkim government has imposed a ban on homestay owners in the Himalayan state from leasing or renting their properties to third parties. According to an advisory issued by the state's Tourism and Civil Aviation department on September 11, the Sikkim Registration of Homestay Establishment Rules of 2013 prohibit homestay owners from leasing or renting their units to third parties. Henceforth, homestays must be solely run and operated by the local entrepreneurs who own them.The advisory also warned that any violations of this rule would be dealt with strictly by the department. The Homestay Association of Sikkim (HAS) had previously advocated for a ban on leasing and renting homestay establishments to third parties.To support local stakeholders in the tourism industry, the Sikkim government offers subsidised loans for the establishment of homestays in the Himalayan state, aiming to promote entrepreneurship within the sector.