Homestay, Bed & Breakfast Scheme for Women Empowerment

• Hinterland Tourism to Get Boost
• Goa Tourism announces unique scheme

Mumbai, 7th August 2025 - The Department of Tourism has launched its Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme at the hands of Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant, in the presence of Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A Khaunte; Hon’ble MLA Bicholim and Chairman of Infotech Corporation of Goa Ltd., Shri Chandrakant Shetye; Hon’ble MLA Mayem, Shri Premendra Shet; Secretary Tourism, Shri Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS; Director Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik; and Managing Director, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar at the PAC Hall, Secretariat, Porvorim. The launch aimed at promoting community-driven tourism, rural livelihoods, and experiential travel in Goa. The initiative is part of the state’s larger vision to diversify its tourism offerings beyond beaches and strengthen Goa’s positioning as a model for Regenerative Tourism in India.

What was earlier conceptualized as a policy has now been reframed and strengthened as a scheme. The revised scheme offers a combination of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, simplified registration processes, and quality classifications, making it easier and more rewarding for local residents to operate homestays in rural areas of the state, paving the way for boosting Rural and Hinterland Tourism in Goa. This scheme also holds the power to foster women and youth entrepreneurship, encouraging self-reliance while preserving our unique Goan heritage.

Under the scheme, eligible establishments located in the talukas of Sattari, Sanguem, Dharbandora, Bicholim, Canacona, Ponda, and Quepem will receive a one-time grant of ₹2,00,000, along with access to marketing support, training, listing on Goa Tourism platforms, and subsidized participation in domestic trade fairs. The scheme will remain valid for five years and may be extended further by the Department.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant stated “The Homestay Scheme has been launched with a renewed focus on promoting the hinterlands and empowering women homestay operators. Through this initiative, we are providing them with a platform to showcase their offerings and ensuring better access to key locations such as wildlife sanctuaries and village destinations."

Speaking at the launch event, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, IT, EC & Printing and Stationery, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, said In line with the ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ vision, we have launched the Homestay and Bed & Breakfast initiative, now structured as a scheme with a focused approach. Our primary emphasis is on women empowerment, and since most homestays are run by women, we thought of empowering them through this initiative. Developed in consultation with the Hon’ble Chief Minister, the scheme extends across seven talukas and includes a grant of ₹2 lakh to support infrastructure development. It is a strong vote of confidence in community-based tourism. With MoUs already signed with platforms like Airbnb and efforts underway for capacity building, exposure visits, and training, this initiative will significantly expand the scope of rural tourism in Goa.”

Shri Kedar Naik, Director Tourism added “we have a responsibility not just to promote destinations, but to nurture the very fabric of Goa’s tourism ecosystem, its people, its environment, and its culture. The launch of the Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme reflects our strategic shift toward inclusive, decentralized, and regenerative tourism. This is an effort to empower local households, particularly in the hinterland, to participate meaningfully in the tourism economy.”

The scheme also supports the Department’s flagship initiative, ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’, by encouraging visitors to explore Goa’s villages, culture, and natural heritage through sustainable, community-led stays.

As part of the scheme’s Ease of Doing Business focus, interested applicants can register through both offline and online modes via the www.goaonline.gov.in portal. Homestays will be classified under gold and silver categories based on service offerings, with provisions for reclassification, inspection, and regular monitoring.

This initiative is expected to open up new economic opportunities for local communities, reduce the burden on Goa’s coastal belts, and enable amore equitable tourism ecosystem in the state.

Mr. Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager (Marketing), GTDC, compered the event. Mr. Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, Department of Information Technology, delivered a concise briefing on the newly introduced schemes of the IT Department, highlighting their objectives and scope. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks proposed by the Deputy Director of the Department of Information Technology, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, stakeholders, and attendees for their presence and support.