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Goa Tourism Empowers Women With Homestay And Bed & Breakfast Scheme

The Awareness and Training Programme held at the Novotel Goa Panaji, was specifically designed for current and aspiring homestay owners, with a strong emphasis on encouraging women to participate and thrive as entrepreneurs

By Nikita Meshram
New Update
Goa

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, organised an Awareness and Training Programme on the Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme at the Novotel Goa Panaji, specifically designed for current and aspiring homestay owners, with a strong emphasis on encouraging women to participate and thrive as entrepreneurs in the tourism sector.

The formal proceedings included a lamp-lighting ceremony and the exchange of flower bouquets with the dignitaries. Attending the event were Tourism Minister Rohan A Khaunte; Director of Tourism, Kedar Naik; Managing Director, GTDC, Kuldeep Arolkar; Director, Department of Information and Technology, Kabir Shirgaonkar; Asmita Joshi, Public Policy Head India, Airbnb and Tejas Raval, Senior Coordinator, Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).

Speaking on the occasion, Khaunte highlighted the government’s commitment to promoting tourism beyond beaches and creating new livelihood opportunities in rural areas.

He stated, “Tourism is vital forGoa, and while our coastal areas have long been connected with it, many in our villages—especially women—have not had the same exposure. Women are the backbone of every home and society, and the Homestay Scheme is a step towards empowering them, with 100 women receiving grants of ₹2 lakh each to start their own homestays. We began our ‘GoaBeyond Beaches’ journey with Ekadasha Teertha to showcase the beauty of our villages, and now we are extending it with this scheme.Goa’s unmatched culinary heritage, with its unique homemade flavours, is a magnet for tourists, and women, as ambassadors of tourism, can help makeGoathe culinary capital of India. The minister also stated that the scheme will eventually be extended to urban areas as well.”

Naik stated that Goa Tourism aims to strengthen the state’s economy, not merely promote destinations. The focus is on offering visitors an authentic experience of local culture and hinterland life, while also bolstering local tourism. A key objective is to enable women in rural areas to develop infrastructure that will, in turn, help boost tourism.

Diksha Namdev Tari, Deputy Director of Tourism, delivered the scheme briefing, while the event also featured presentations by partners including Airbnb, SEWA, and the IT Department, who shared practical insights on marketing, operations, and digital tools. Smt. Meeta Parmar from Gujarat, a homestay owner of Meetaben’s Homestay, who has run the business for 25 years, shared her story.

As part of the felicitation, honours were presented to Jungle Trails owner Janki Rama Samkar, Tambdi Surla, and Cozy Homes owner Sonia Roy Saldanha from Ponda.

The Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme aims to provide locals, especially women in the hinterland, with a sustainable livelihood by enabling them to convert part of their homes into welcoming stays for visitors. Covering hinterland talukas such as Sattari, Dharbandora, Sanguem, Bicholim, Ponda, Quepem, and Canacona, the scheme focuses on bringing tourism benefits to villages rich in culture, heritage, and natural beauty. By tapping into Goa’s cultural heritage, natural surroundings, and traditional hospitality, the scheme not only creates an additional source of income but also empowers women to become self-reliant, preserve local traditions, and showcase authentic Goan life to travellers.

Deepak Narvekar, PRO and Deputy General Manager, GTDC, compered the event, creating a warm and engaging atmosphere. The programme concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks delivered by Smt. Diksha Namdev Tari, Deputy Director of Tourism, who expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, partners, participants, and the organising team for their contributions towards the event’s success.