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The Goa government has amended its Homestay Policy to address key challenges for local communities in the state's rural hospitality sector. Under the revised policy, eligible applicants will now receive a direct grant of INR 2 lakh to set up homestays, replacing a previous reimbursement model that posed financial hurdles. This move, primarily aimed at empowering rural women who will manage these homestays, seeks to create livelihood opportunities, preserve cultural heritage, and add to Goa's tourism offerings. The application process will begin after the ongoing assembly session concludes next week, with an initial phase supporting 100 homestays and plans to strengthen partnerships with platforms like Airbnb and MakeMyTrip.
The Goa government has amended its Homestay Policy, aiming to address key challenges faced by local communities involved in the hospitality sector within the state's rural areas. This change was announced by Minister Rohan Khaunte on 28th July, 2025. Advertisement
Under the revised policy, eligible applicants will now receive a direct grant of INR 2 lakh to help set up homestays. This new approach replaces an earlier reimbursement-based model, which Minister Khaunte explained had presented financial hurdles for many rural households, particularly for women. He added that based on their feedback, they had made the necessary changes to ensure the policy was inclusive, accessible, and truly empowering.
The revised policy applies to homestays offering one to six lettable rooms within the owner's residence, specifically in rural areas. While registration for homestays is allowed across Goa, the incentives will be limited to non-coastal, non-urban zones. This is to ensure the policy's focus on supporting and preserving the rural character of these areas.
Minister Khaunte said the initiative is designed with women empowerment at its core, as these rural homestays will primarily be managed by the women of the household. He emphasized that the initiative was not only about adding to the tourism offerings but also about creating livelihood opportunities, preserving cultural heritage, and giving rural women a leadership role in community-based tourism.
Goa's tourism sector is crucial for its economy, but there has been a growing focus on diversifying beyond just coastal areas to promote hinterland and cultural tourism. The state has been grappling with issues like overtourism in popular beach belts, leading to environmental and infrastructure strains. Initiatives like this homestay policy aim to encourage more responsible and inclusive tourism that benefits local communities directly.
The tourism department will begin rolling out the application process for this scheme once the ongoing assembly session concludes next week, on August 8. In its initial phase, the scheme plans to support 100 homestays. Minister Khaunte also stated that the department plans to strengthen its existing agreements with platforms like Airbnb and MakeMyTrip. This is intended to promote these rural stays more effectively and improve their operational readiness, connecting them to a wider audience of travelers seeking authentic local experiences.
Source- PTI
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