THE ROLE OF HOMESTAY TOURISM IN PRESERVING UTTARAKHANDS CULTURAL HERITAGE

Homestay tourism has emerged as a strategic mechanism for conserving cultural heritage while fostering economic resilience in rural economies. This study critically examines the role of homestay tourism in Uttarakhand, with a focus on its implications for cultural sustainability, local livelihoods, and the broader framework of sustainable tourism development. Utilizing a comprehensive review of secondary data from governmental reports, peer-reviewed literature, and statistical datasets, this research identifies the integral components of Uttarakhands cultural heritage, including its festivals, cuisine, handicrafts, and oral traditions. Furthermore, the study evaluates the socio-economic impact of homestay tourism, emphasizing income generation, employment expansion, and the mitigation of rural depopulation. A theoretical framework for embedding cultural preservation into homestay tourism is proposed, offering policy recommendations for optimizing its socio-cultural benefits. The findings underscore the significance of structured homestay tourism initiatives in fostering cultural continuity, yet they also highlight the challenges posed by commercialization, regulatory deficiencies, and the potential commodification of cultural experiences. This study contributes to the scholarly discourse on sustainable tourism and provides policy insights for strengthening homestay tourism as a mechanism for heritage conservation in Uttarakhand and comparable regions.