April 16, 2026
TRASHIGANG – Merak Gewog, home to roughly 2,000 people across 380 households, is witnessing steady growth in its homestay industry, with seven licensed homestays currently in operation and two more awaiting approval.
The surge is driven largely by the annual RhododendronFestival. This year during the festival held fromApril 3 to 9, it drew 18,483 visitors.
Many travellers arrived eager to experience the highland’s rich culture and natural beauty, firmly placing Merak on the tourism map.
Merak is bordered by Sakteng Gewog to the north, Shongphu to the west, Kangpara to the south, and the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh to the east.
In Gyen Go village, Sangay Dema’s Homestay has been welcoming guests for a decade.
The homestay’s visitor numbers had doubled since last year, rising from only three or four tourists annually to more than 12 visitors last year alone, earning about Nu 150,000.
This year, business has been even more promising, with 11 guests already accommodated and earnings of around Nu 30,000 in just three days.
“We receive most of our visitors during April and May, mostly during the Rhododendron Festival,” said Lobzang Tashi, an owner of the Sangay Dema Homestay. “Some tourists come to experience Merak’s culture, tradition, and natural beauty.”
Dawa, who runs Red Panda Homestay, has been in business since 2015.
Like his neighbours, he has felt the positive impact of the festival on his earnings. Last year, he accommodated 20 guests and earned Nu 250,000. This year, his homestay is once again operating at full capacity, hosting 20 people.
Homestay rates across the gewog vary by owner, typically ranging from Nu 450 to Nu 800 per night, excluding meals.
In Khashateng village, Tashi Wangdi, who started his homestay three years ago to utilise extra space, credits the Department of Tourism (DoT) for making the initiative possible.
“The department not only helped advocate for the concept within the community but also provided training on how to properly accommodate visitors, particularly international tourists,” he said.
According to Tashi Wangdi, tourism officials advised owners to provide basic hospitality amenities, including coffee, tea bags, and electric kettles, and to uphold strict cleanliness standards.
“Since not all tourists drink traditional tea, these amenities allow guests to help themselves – just like in a hotel,” he added. “International tourists also enjoy living as part of the household, eating together, learning about our daily routines, and experiencing our customs.”
He acknowledged that the department took considerable time to raise awareness among the community, many of whom were unfamiliar with the homestay concept.
After opening his homestay, Tashi Wangdi initially earned between Nu 25,000 and Nu 30,000 per year, hosting around three to four visitors.
Last year, his visitor numbers rose to around 15, doubling his income to Nu 50,000. This year, he has already hosted around 25 people and earned around Nu 60,000 in just one week.
The licensing process is rigorous. According to a gewog official, the process begins at the local level with an assessment of whether a home meets the required standards. A report is then sent to the DoT, whose inspectors conduct field visits for verification.
Because many residents are not literate, gewog officials actively guide applicants by translating the criteria for owners.
Key licence requirements include overall cleanliness and a bathroom equipped with a water geyser, a standard considered essential given Merak’s cold climate and the expectations of international tourists.
According to the Guidelines for the Registration of Village Homestays 2019, a village homestay must have at least one toilet and bathroom facility that is comfortable, clean, and well-maintained, either within or adjacent to the house.
The homestay must also be managed by a host family with a minimum of two physically active members residing in the same household.
Of the seven registered homestays, three were established prior the festival, while the other four registered that year, encouraged by the gewog office to meet the growing demand driven by the Rhododendron Festival.