Goa Launches Women-Focused Homestay And Bed & Breakfast Scheme to Boost Rural Tourism

Selected establishments will receive a one-time grant of Rs 2,00,000, alongside marketing assistance, training, and promotional exposure on Goa Tourism platforms and at domestic trade fairs

ByBWT Online08 Aug 2025

New Update

Goa Tourism has announced a pioneering scheme aimed at empowering women and revitalising hinterland tourism. The initiative was launched by the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant, in the company of senior officials and stakeholders at the PAC Hall, Secretariat, Porvorim, on August 7, 2025.

Originally conceived as a policy, the scheme has now been restructured into a comprehensive programme offering financial incentives, streamlined registration, and quality classification benefits. It is designed to support local residents—especially women and youth—in operating homestays and Bed & Breakfast (B&Bs) in rural areas of Sattari, Sanguem, Dharbandora, Bicholim, Canacona, Ponda, and Quepem. Selected establishments will receive a one-time grant of Rs 2,00,000, alongside marketing assistance, training, and promotional exposure on Goa Tourism platforms and at domestic trade fairs. The scheme will run for five years, with potential for extension.

The Chief Minister stated, “TheHomestaySchemehas been launched with a renewed focus on promoting the hinterlands and empoweringwomenhomestayoperators. 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, Minister for Tourism, IT, EC & Printing and Stationery, 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 Chief Minister, the scheme extends across seven talukas and includes a grant of Rs 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.”

Kedar Naik, DirectorTourism,added, “We have a responsibility not just to promote destinations, but to nurture the very fabric ofGoa’stourismecosystem, its people, its environment, and its culture. The launch of theHomestayandBed&BreakfastSchemereflects our strategic shift toward inclusive, decentralised, and regenerativetourism. This is an effort to empower local households, particularly in the hinterland, to participate meaningfully in thetourismeconomy.”

The initiative encourages visitors to explore Goa’s villages and natural attractions through sustainable, community-led stays, supporting the Department’s broader mission to diversify tourism beyond the coast. Applications can be submitted both offline and online viawww.goaonline.gov.in. The homestays will be categorised as ‘Gold’ or ‘Silver’, with provisions for inspection, reclassification, and ongoing monitoring.

This scheme is anticipated to generate economic opportunities for rural communities, ease pressure on coastal regions, and promote a fairer tourism model. The event was hosted by Deepak Narvekar, with insights on IT initiatives shared by Kabir Shirgaonkar, concluding with a vote of thanks from the Department of Information Technology.

Author

BWT Online

Tags: Goa Tourism empowering women homestays Bed & Breakfast rural areas