The Rural Accelerator Program, implemented by the Forum for Integrated Development and Research (FIDR) in association with Goa Livelihoods Forum (GLF) and supported by Airbnb in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, today felicitated a cohort of rural tourism entrepreneurs — with five ventures selected to receive seed grants to launch and grow tourism and waste management enterprises across Goa.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte honoured the participating entrepreneurs for their commitment to promoting sustainable tourism, strengthening rural livelihoods, and creating meaningful economic opportunities within their communities.
With support from Airbnb, the program was designed to strengthen Goa’s growing ecosystem of experiential and community-driven tourism by equipping homestay owners and aspiring tourism entrepreneurs with the skills, mentorship, and networks required to build sustainable enterprises. Through a structured residency and enterprise development program, participants were trained in areas such as tourism entrepreneurship, community engagement, business planning, and responsible waste management.
A key highlight of the Rural Accelerator Program was the Business Innovation Challenge, where participants pitched enterprise ideas within the tourism, destination management, and waste management sectors before a jury comprising industry experts and the Department of Tourism.
Following a competitive evaluation process, five high-potential ventures were selected to receive seed grant support which will help enable entrepreneurs to pilot and scale innovative business ideas that contribute to Goa’s tourism ecosystem while generating local employment and community impact.
The selected ventures span a range of innovative concepts, including rural tourism experiences, destination stewardship initiatives, community-based hospitality services, and waste management solutions aimed at creating cleaner and more resilient tourism destinations.
The initiative also seeks to help distribute the benefits of tourism beyond Goa’s traditional tourism hotspots by supporting locally rooted enterprises that create economic opportunities for communities across the state’s hinterlands.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant said: “Goa’s villages hold immense potential for entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable tourism development. The Rural Accelerator Program demonstrates how local communities can become active drivers of economic growth while preserving our cultural and environmental heritage. By supporting rural entrepreneurs and providing them with the tools to succeed, with support of partners like Airbnb, we are creating new livelihood opportunities and strengthening the foundations of a more inclusive tourism economy for Goa.”
Khaunte said: “Goa Beyond Beaches is about enabling our villages and communities to become active partners in tourism. Homestays are an important part of this vision, and so are authentic local experiences, destination services, responsible waste management, and community-led enterprises that protect and enrich the places visitors come to experience.
Our continuous efforts, supported by enabling partners like AirBnB, are translating the vision of Goa Beyond Beaches into action through capacity building, mentorship, market access and enterprise support. By directing this support beyond the cities and into rural Goa, we are reaffirming the Government’s commitment to sustainable hinterland development, stronger community enterprises and responsible, regenerative tourism, with this transformation led by our Nari Shakti.”
Amanpreet Bajaj, Country Manager – India & Southeast Asia at Airbnb, said: “At Airbnb, we are committed to supporting local communities and helping entrepreneurs unlock the economic opportunities created by tourism. The Rural Accelerator Program is a powerful example of how capacity building, mentorship, and targeted grant support can help transform promising ideas into thriving enterprises. We are proud to partner in this initiative and support entrepreneurs who are building authentic and sustainable tourism experiences that celebrate Goa’s unique culture, heritage, and communities, while helping ensure that the benefits of tourism reach more people across the state.”
The Rural Accelerator Program reflects a shared commitment by Airbnb and Goa Tourism to support entrepreneurship-led rural development, encourage responsible tourism practices, and create a new generation of tourism enterprises that benefit both visitors and local communities.
By investing in local entrepreneurs, innovation, and community-led development, the initiative seeks to strengthen rural livelihoods, preserve local culture and demonstrate how tourism can create lasting benefits for communities across Goa.
