Opting for homestays over hotels has emerged as a trend and has become a beloved one indeed.
Apart from the affordability, homestays owe their popularity to the ability to help one integrate with the essence of a destination.
Not many of us, however, would have heard of what is being called a slum homestay, which is now gaining a lot of attention among tourists visiting Mumbai.
This unique kind of homestay has been developed by Ravi Sansi, a resident of Golibar Road in Khar (East).
Sansi, whose earlier profession of selling maps was made redundant due to technology, was going through financial crisis. That’s when David Bijl, a 32-year old man from Netherlands, suggested him the idea of opening his house in the slum to tourists.
Bijl also started a social-media page called Slum Homestay Mumbai and posted pictures of the slum where Sansi stays. Bijl believes that staying in the slum will help tourists see people like Sansi in a new light while giving them valuable perspective.
”Here, you are actually staying with Ravi’s family, you are learning about their lives. You’re not just passing by and taking a selfie,” Bijl was quoted.
The per day tariff at Sansi’s house is Rs 2000. Among other facilities, the house has a flat screen television, a new mattress and an air conditioner. The guests will have to use the same community toilet as the rest of the slum.
About the kind of food that will be provided to the tourists, Sansi added that while he would be happy to have the guests dine with his family, he could also guide them to restaurants.
Besides, Sansi’s family is willing to host unmarried couples, only if they are foreigners.
However, the slum homestay is still awaiting the Government’s approval.