Turizam Volume 30, Issue 1-2
PROMOTING RURAL TOURISM THROUGH SOCIAL-MEDIA AND DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: INSIGHTS FROM HOMESTAY OPERATORS OF SIKKIM
Authors: Dr. Bhutia Jigmie Wanchuk, Lepcha Sonam Dorjee, Dr. Bhutia Ruth Marie
Abstract: In the current digital age, social media can transform small rural businesses into globally visible enterprises. This study explores the adoption, perceived opportunities, and challenges of social media use among rural homestay operators in Sikkim, India. A qualitative research design was employed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 homestay operators across all districts of Sikkim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that social media adoption was highly strategic and uneven, with WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram being the most frequently used platforms. Operators strategically use WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram to promote homestays, build trust, and engage with guests, with video content being the most effective. However, adoption is limited by infrastructural constraints, digital skill gaps, operational time pressures, and exposure to online risks. This study contributes to the understanding of digital entrepreneurship in rural tourism and offers practical guidance for improving small-scale operators’ social media adoption. The findings also provide policymakers with evidence for designing targeted interventions for infrastructure development and capacity-building programs.
Keywords: social media adoption, rural homestays, opportunities, challenges, tourism promotion
Article info: 30-47
Received: October 2025 | Accepted: February 2026