The Department of Tourism has launched its Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme at the hands of Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant, in the presence of Minister for Tourism, Rohan A. Khaunte; MLA Bicholim and Chairman of Infotech Corporation of Goa Ltd., Chandrakant Shetye; MLA Mayem, Shri Premendra Shet; Secretary Tourism, Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS; Director Tourism, Kedar Naik; and Managing Director, Kuldeep Arolkar at the PAC Hall, Secretariat, Porvorim. This launch aims to promote community-driven tourism, enhance rural livelihoods, and encourage experiential travel in Goa. It is part of a broader effort to diversify tourism offerings beyond coastal attractions and re-establish Goa as a model for Regenerative Tourism in India.

The scheme also offers fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, along with simplified registration processes, making it more accessible for local residents to run homestays in rural areas.

Under this scheme, qualifying establishments in specific talukas will receive a one-time grant of ₹2,00,000, marketing assistance, training opportunities, and subsidized participation in trade fairs.

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant commented: “The Homestay Scheme has been launched with a renewed focus on promoting the hinterlands and empowering women homestay operators. We’re providing a platform for them to showcase their offerings and ensuring improved access to key tourism sites.”

Minister for Tourism Rohan A. Khaunte stated: “This initiative aligns with our ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ vision, focusing on empowering women who primarily run homestays. The scheme, developed alongside the Chief Minister, spans seven talukas and supports infrastructure development with a grant.”

Kedar Naik noted, “We must not only promote tourist sites but also nurture Goa’s tourism ecosystem involving local communities, environments, and cultures. This initiative is a step towards decentralized tourism that empowers local residents to contribute meaningfully in the tourism economy.”