Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) proposes Rs 70 crore rural tourism push, aiming to replicate Himachal Pradesh’s successful SHG-led homestay model. Women-led community enterprises to boost livelihoods, preserve culture, and transform Tripura’s key tourist destinations.
In a significant policy shift aimed at transforming rural tourism into a sustainable livelihood engine, the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) has launched its first structured initiative to establish community-managed homestays across the state. With a proposed allocation of over Rs 70 crore for the 2026–27 financial year, the mission seeks to replicate the successful rural homestay model of Himachal Pradesh while placing women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at the center of this transformation.
The ambitious plan marks a departure from traditional tourism promotion strategies and instead focuses on grassroots economic empowerment. TRLM’s approach emphasizes community ownership, women entrepreneurship, and sustainable tourism practices to generate stable income opportunities in rural and ecologically rich regions of Tripura.
Learning from Himachal’s Proven Model
As part of the groundwork, a nine-member delegation of Block Development Officers (BDOs) from Tripura undertook an exposure visit to Himachal Pradesh. The team closely studied the functioning of Khushboo Homestay in Village Brod under the Naggar Block of Kullu district. The homestay, managed by Dhani Devi of the Shiv Shakti Self-Help Group, stands as a successful example of community-driven hospitality entrepreneurship.
Officials observed operational aspects such as infrastructure planning, financial management, service standards, guest engagement, and the integration of local culture into the hospitality experience. The Himachal model demonstrated that SHGs could effectively manage hospitality enterprises while maintaining quality standards and ensuring steady income streams.
Senior TRLM officials described the visit as a “critical learning exercise” that will guide the drafting of a comprehensive roadmap for scaling homestay-based tourism across Tripura.
Focus on Women-Led Rural Entrepreneurship
A central pillar of TRLM’s strategy is empowering women-led SHGs to own and operate homestay units. The initiative aims to create durable livelihood options for rural families, particularly in remote and underdeveloped areas where conventional employment opportunities are limited.
By giving SHGs operational control, TRLM hopes to strengthen financial inclusion, enhance leadership skills among rural women, and create long-term economic resilience. Officials believe that when local communities manage tourism infrastructure, benefits remain within the village economy rather than flowing outward.
The proposed Rs 70 crore allocation to the Ministry of Rural Development for 2026–27 is expected to fund infrastructure development, capacity building, and allied livelihood assets necessary for sustaining the model.
Targeting Key Tourist Destinations
TRLM plans to roll out the homestay initiative across several of Tripura’s most scenic and culturally significant locations. These include:
Jampui Hills
Unakoti
Dumbur Lake
Chabimura
Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary
Other proposed locations include Kalajhari Hills, the temple town of Matabari, and Manu Bankul. These destinations are known for their natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural heritage but lack adequate hospitality infrastructure.
By introducing structured, community-managed homestays, TRLM aims to increase tourist footfall while preserving the ecological balance and cultural authenticity of these regions.
Boosting Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Preservation
Beyond income generation, the initiative seeks to preserve local traditions, indigenous crafts, and regional cuisine. Officials believe that integrating authentic cultural experiences into homestay tourism can offer travelers immersive experiences while encouraging the protection of local heritage.
Community-managed tourism is also seen as a sustainable alternative to large-scale commercial hospitality projects, which often disrupt local ecosystems. By limiting infrastructure to homestay units operated by SHGs, TRLM hopes to maintain environmental sustainability while expanding tourism capacity.
A Strategic Shift in Tourism Policy
The Rs 70 crore rural tourism push represents a broader strategic shift in Tripura’s development planning. Instead of relying solely on promotional campaigns, the state is now investing in grassroots infrastructure and community capacity building.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could position Tripura as an emerging rural tourism destination in the Northeast, similar to how Himachal Pradesh leveraged its village-based hospitality model to strengthen its tourism economy.
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The recent exposure visit to Himachal Pradesh marks the first formal step toward institutionalizing this model in Tripura. With community ownership at its core and women-led SHGs driving execution, TRLM’s initiative could redefine rural tourism in the state while delivering inclusive and sustainable growth.
