Panjab's farm stays are revolutionizing the tourism sector by offering immersive experiences that combine agricultural life with cultural and historical heritage. A 'farm stay' is a form of lodging that allows guests to stay on a working farm, offering visitors opportunities to experience rural life and farming activities firsthand. Accommodations range from simple rooms in a farmhouse to more luxurious cottages or villas. These farm stays, many registered with the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB), promote sustainable tourism while generating local employment and supporting traditional handicrafts. A notable figure in this movement is 86-year-old Sukhchain Singh Gill, founder of Hansali Organic Farm in Fatehgarh Sahib district. Gill recently received the World Tourism Network (WTN) Hero Award, making him the first Indian to be honored for his contributions to sustainable farm tourism. In 2023, Pandurang Taware, an agri-tourism pioneer, stated that the sector has the potential to boost farmers' incomes, while emphasizing the importance of promoting women farmers, and recognizing the opportunities within agricultural tourism. Run by 80-year-old Satwant Kaur Sangha and her family, 'The Kothi', has become a center for cultural heritage tourism, featuring old colonial era architecture, and offering employment opportunities to local villagers in various capacities. The Sangha family also operates 'Pipal Haveli,' a UNESCO Asia Pacific award-winning heritage conservation project that serves as both a tourism site and a knowledge hub for architecture students. These farm stays are not only preserving Panjab's rich cultural legacy but are also fostering sustainable tourism that benefits local communities.
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