Why homestay tourism is now becoming popular

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One of the Rural Tourism Network home stays in Nairobi. July 10, 2014. NATION | DIANA NGILA 

By ISABELLA MUKUMU

In Summary

• So, what’s the criteria for being registered as a homestay facility? Location and accessibility, quality in terms of facilities and amenities, hygiene and sanitation, safety and security.
• The host has to live in the same unit or environment and at least one family member must be able to speak English. And it’s mandatory that an official from the Ministry of Tourism inspects the facility and gives approval. This is important for those who want to stay in these facilities lest they end up in places which are not secure or up to standard.

When Winfred Gitonga started her homestay services, it was after various visits from her long-time German fiancé who would occasionally bring his friends along for safaris.

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She accommodated them for a few weeks at her home in Nairobi West and after they went back to Germany, they would recommend their friends to come stay with Winfred. By November last year, she had more referrals from her previous guests who thought homestays offered a homely, affordable and a more educative option to hotels.

Winfred has since moved to a bigger house to accommodate the growing number of guests who come visiting every season.

The homestay concept is not a hotel or bed and breakfast, but a non-commercial, private residence for paying guests who prefer staying in the comfort and security of a family home and literally being like part of the family. It is for visitors looking to experience the host’s lifestyle and is favoured by singles, couples, groups and volunteers who come to the country for a period of time.

The host may have one or two free rooms, but which do not exceed six, that they want to rent out as a relaxed type of accommodation, but with most of the space left for the family. This can either be in a home that is set in the rural areas but has all the facilities and services of a hotel, or it can also be in a host family’s home.

The latter is what most tourists seeking adventure are looking for. Living with the host in his house will involve the guests in either participating in the house chores or having services offered.

“Homestays have much to offer and the list of things to do is extensive as tourists look for better ways to enjoy the traditions and culture of the people,” says Ms Gitonga, adding that the practice has taken root in the tourism sector. Ms Gitonga charges a daily rate of Sh5,000 for bed and breakfast and offers other services at an extra cost.

The association of homestays under the umbrella body of Rural Tourism Network is pushing for better mechanisms and laws to govern homestays from the Ministry of Tourism by ensuring they get friendly practices.

According to criteria issued by the Ministry of Tourism, homestays have classifications such as economy level, standard level and executive level with stipulated operational standards for each level.

“However, these criteria have not yet been effected which means most homestays pay the cost of a hotel license when they register,” says Ms Gitonga.

Licence fee

The recommended license fees for homestays is between Sh1,000 and Sh3,000, depending on the type of homestay. The association, which has 200 members, is also pushing for mechanisms that will ensure both the government and citizen benefit from homestays through collection of taxes, generating income for county governments and boost the industry through promotion of other forms of tourism.

“Through homestays we will ensure that tourism earnings trickle down to the common citizen through the involvement of community-based projects,” says Ms Salome Ndunge, who is part of the homestay association.

Ms Ndunge, who is also the Founder and Director of Inter-cultural Peace Foundation, says that her foundation seeks to encourage intercultural homestays within communities to build peace and integration in the country. While Ms Ndunge focuses on local, intercultural integration, Ms Gitonga works on international investor relations to encourage homestay tourism.

Rural Tourism Network (RTN) CEO Nicholas Ayimba says that they have partnered with agents abroad to build a software which connects their members to prospective tourists. Members who have registered online get their homes featured in the company website after thorough vetting, according to the criteria of homestays.