Thirty families to play host during Mumbai fest

Finally, only 30 Mumbai families could make the mark and got selected for hosting foreign tourists under the homestay plan promoted by the Tourism Cooperative during the Mumbai Festival 2006. Originally 50 families had shown their interests.

The concept of homestay is meant to involve Mumbaikars to host foreign travellers visiting the city during the festival.

It is for the first time this concept has been taken up in Mumbai.

"Out of the 50 families, 30 have been selected. Many enquiries came from places such as Vashi, Thane and Bhandup. It was difficult to entertain them as there is only a rare chance that tourists will be staying so far away," said Rashmi Sawant of Tourism Cooperative.

"All the chosen families are based in areas close to the festival centres such as Bandra, Worli, Colaba, Chembur and Prabhadevi," she said.

"We have rated the selected houses into standard, deluxe and luxury categories. Our team visited these houses and has done the registration. We have also conducted the orientation programmes and made the families aware about the guidelines regarding the hospitality and security aspects," said Sawant.

In return, these families can avail of loans for renovation of their homes to host the tourists.

The State Bank of India is the partner of the Tourism Cooperative. The bank has assured all financial help required for alterations in the homes. "However, the homes selected are well kept and have not asked for such loans," she added.

However, some families wanted to completely redo their homes.

"They were demanding big amount. Moreover, it was not feasible to complete the renovation work before the start of the festival," Sawant noted.

Since, it is the first time that such a concept is being implemented in the city, far-off homes are not being entertained. "But next year, we have plans to venture out of Mumbai and will go to places such as Pune," she said.